^^•il 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM, 



BEGINNING OP ITS SETTLEMENT 



SEPTEMBEE, 1635 TO MAY, 1827. 



BY ERASTUS WORTHINGTON 

: \ 



Beatus ille qui procul negotils, 
Ut prisca gens mortalium ; 
Paterna rura bubus exercet suis 
Solutus orani foenore. 

Hor.Epoi. 11. 



DUTTON AND WENT WORTH, PRINTERS 

N0...4.... Exchange Street. 

1827. 



DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, ss. 

District CUrWs Office. 

BEiTR«MEMBEEED,Thaton the second day of June, A. D. 1827, and in the fifty-first 
year of the Independence of the United States of America, Erast:'s Worthington, of the 
gaid District, has deposited in this office the title of a booli, the right whereot he claims as 
author, in the words following, to wit : 

"The History of Dedham, from the beginning of its settlement in September, 1635 to May, 
1827. By Erastus Worthington. 

" Beatus ille qui procul negotiis, 
Ut prisca gens mortalium ; 
Paterna rura bubus exercet suis 
Solutus omni foenore. — Hor. Epod. 11." 
In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United Stales entitled ' An Act for the 
encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the 
authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned. And also to 
an Act, entitled ' An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement 
of Learning, by se-uring the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and pro- 
prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits 
thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints. 
JNO. W. DAVIS, 

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. 



f^l^ 






PREFACE, 



Some facts related in the following sketch, will 
appear trivial. I am not certain that a sufficient 
reason can be given for extending the history of a 
town of no considerable extent, to so many pages. 
Several considerations, however, have prevailed 
over this doubt. It has appeared to me that a town 
like Dedham, having its first settlement at an early 
date, having copious materials for an history, and 
nearly resembling a much larger extent of country 
around it, in its character and past transactions, 
might be properly selected for a full historical and 
topographical description. The history of a town, 
although much of it must necessarily have only 
a local interest, may yet be so arranged, that it 
may afford some views of society, not exhibited in 
more general histories. It may bring us nearer the 
homes, and enable us to see more distinctly the do- 
ings of the inhabitants. It may assist us in tracing 
the origin of manners and customs, and in judging 
of the influence of laws and public proceedings, on 
the character of the people. 



4 PREFACE. 

Under all forms of government in this state, 
whether it were colonial, provincial, or repubhcan, 
many important measures, and especially all revo- 
hitionary proceedings, have been submitted to the 
primary assemblies of the people, to be examined 
and acted on by them. During the revolutionary 
war in particular, towns and parishes not only ex- 
pressed their opinions on many subjects connected 
with that event, but they actually exercised much 
of the jurisdiction of a national government in pro- 
secuting that war. How these small corporations, 
organised solely for municipal or parochial pur- 
poses, transacted that business, how they succeed- 
ed in procuring soldiers and warlike stores, and did 
other things to promote the same great end, is a 
proper subject for historical inquiry. Reflections of 
this kind have induced me to state facts somewhat 
minutely, which if they be not viewed in their con- 
nection as causes or effects, are comparatively 
speaking, of no importance. 

In this essay I have endeavoured, so far as my 
materials would permit, to exhibit a faithful view of 
society in this place, in a: retrospect of one hundred 
and ninety years. In doing this, I have endeavour- 
ed on the one hand, to avoid the error of bestowing 
extravagant or unmerited praise, and on the other^ 
to give no just cause of offence, by an improper 
narration of private affairs, having no relation to the 
general character. I have attempted to do what 
gratitude and justice require to be done, to make 



PREFACE. 5 

known the substantial virtues, and the real merit of 
the present and past generations in this town, but 
in doing this, I have not submitted to the disgrace- 
ful and immoral task of composing an historical 
sketch, and therein suppressing all notice of the 
errors or follies of past times, as some have suggest- 
ed ought to be done. I have hesitated whether 
the events of the last twenty years, should be here- 
in related, but I have concluded, that as a witness 
of events can give a more satisfactory account of 
things, the history should be brought down to the 
present time. 

The records of the town and parishes, and of the 
first church, have been my authorities, except when 
I have quoted others. These records I have care- 
fully perused, and have found them so circumstan- 
tial in some cases, that they w^ould authorise me to 
state some facts, no where directly asserted. When 
I have depended on tradition, I have given notice 
of it. 

Before the reader finally condemns me for de- 
scending too much to small affairs, I hope he will 
reflect that there are some popular precedents to 
lead me astray, among which are Espriellas Letters 
and governor Winthrop's Journal^ and I might like- 
wise mention as additional motive, an increasing 
taste for these kinds of historical details. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Grants from the general court. Ancient boundaries. Original state of the land. 
Forests. Swamps. First crops. Origin of Mother Brook. Description of the 
village in 1664. Present boundaries. Parishes. Description of the town at 
the present time 

CHAPTER II. 

How a settler became a proprietor of the land.^. Mode of dividing lands at first 
Common ploughfield. Wood Lands. Rules for making future dividends of 
lands established in 1656. Disputes arising therefrom. Finally settled by com- 
mittee of general court. Measures to extinguish the Indian titles. Treaty 
with kino- Philip and other sachems. Measures to establish other plantations. 
Medfield in the records called Bargarstowe. Wrcntham czW^AWollomonopoag 
Deerfield called Petumtuck. Natick Indians principally under the care of Mr. 
Eliot 

CHAPTER III. 

Name of the town. Records. Incorporation. Town-covenant. Town legisla- 
ture of seven men. By-laws. Wood reeves. The example of a society formed 
out of its simple elements. Measures to support public worship. Method of 
supporting ministers. Parish funds. School funds and Schools 31 

CHAPTER IV. 

Building mills. Corn mills. Water mills. Saw mill. Introduction of trades. 
Modes of cultivating the land. First articles carried to Boston market. Stock 
of cattle. Horses. Swine. Sheep. Wolves. Wildcats 37 

CHAPTER V. 

First company, twenty-four. Second company, twelve. Increase in fifty years. 
Compendium of the doings and improvements of fifty years. Indian war. 
Character of the first generation. Principal men, Edward Ally ne, John Alhn, 
Eleazer Lusher, Daniel Fisher, Timothy D wight. Reflections 41 

CHAPTER VI. 

Annals of the town from 1686, to 1736. Parishes begin to be settled. Vacancy in 
the ministry eiglit years. Town indicted for not keeping a grammar school. In- 
habitants and proprietors of Dcdham become distinct bodies. Sherburne dividend. 
Three sets of town officers chosen one year. Schools badly supported. Law 



8 CONTENTS. 

against new comers. Bills of credit. Disputed elections. School farm. Tyoi, 
or second parish, incorporated. Clapboardtrees, or third parish, incorporated. 
Census. Review of the last fifty years 55 

CHAPTER. Vri. 

An account of events from 1736 to the close of the revolutionary war. Neponset 
river becomes the east boundary of Dedham. Land bank bills. Revolutionary 
proceedings. Votes against the Stamp tax. Indemnity for losses by the riots 
in Boston. Non importation agreements. Vote against the Judges salary. 
Resolution to resist. Tea drinkers denounced, and posted as enemies to the 
country. Minute men. May 27, 1776, Independence declared by the town. 
Preparation for war. Exertions to procure soldiers. First draft of a slate con- 
stitution approved. Exertions to procure soldiers. Amount of town expenses 
for the war estimated. Anecdote relating to Blr. Clark the Episcopal minister of 
Dedham. Mr. Dexter. Adoption of the State constitution. A review of this 
period 54 

CHAPTER Vm. 

An account of events from 1784 to 1826. Practice of giving instructions to repre- 
sentatives. A specimen. Votes in relation to the insurrection of 1786. Ded- 
ham becomes the shire town of Norfolk county. Political parties. Doings in 
relation to the war of 1812. The people approve the war, and oppose the mea- 
sures designed to counteract it. State convention ofJVovember, 1820. Stability 
of character. The influence and spirit of husbandmen strongly predominates. 
Condition of professional men Changes taking place by the influence of villages. 
Recent events calculated to diffuse erroneous opinions of the character of the in- 
habitants. The small number of persons found on the criminal docket. The 
large number of freeholders proportioned to the whole population. Their com- 
fortable situation. Increasing attention to education, to moral and religious in- 
struction. The beginning of manufactures and trades. Some faults. Increase 
of paupers. Of intemperate men. Want of sufficient liberality towartls men of 
active and independent minds. The Ames family 73 

CHAPTER IX. 

Ecclesiastical matters. Extracts from the church records, written by the reverend 
John Allin, relating to the gathering the Dedham church. Ordination of teach- 
er and elder. Discipline. Ministry of the reverend William Adams. Minis- 
try of the reverend Joseph Belcher. Of the reverend Samuel Dexter. Of the 
reverend Jason Haven. Events since 1803. History of the churches and min- 
istry in the other parishes 98 

CHAPTER X. 

Petition for giant of land for a township. List of freemen admitted townsmen 
previous to 16't7. Succession in the ministry. School page. Parish funds and 
benefactors. Town and parish expenses. Divisions of the land, and descrip- 
tions of properly. Notices of manufactories. Tables of mortality and compara- 
tive longevity. Memoranda for natural history. Local customs. Suggested 
improvements. Rural scenes. Conclusion 121 



CHAPTER I. 



Grants from the general court. Ancient boundaries. Original state of the land. 
Forests. Swamps. First crops. Origin of Mother Brook. Description of the 
village in 1664. Present boundaries. Parishes. Description of the town at 
the present time. 



JIn the year 1635, the general court then sitting at New- 
towne, granted a tract of land south of Charles river to 
twelve men. The ne.xt year nineteen persons, including 
the first twelve, petitioned the general court, then at Bos- 
ton, for an additional grant of all the lands south of Charles 
river, and above the falls, not before granted, and for a 
tract five miles square, on the north side of Charles river, 
for the purpose of making a settlement. A grant was 
made agreeable to this petition. 

The land included in the last grant, constitutes the fol- 
lowing towns at the present time. 

Dedham, which now contains three territorial parishes, 
and three poll parishes. 

Medfield. 

Wrentham. Two territorial parishes, and a society of 
baptists. 

Needham. Two territorial parishes. 

Bellingham. Two religious societies. 

Walpole. 

Franklin. 

Dover. 

Natick and part of Sherburne. 

Under the grant of five miles square, north of Charles 
river, the grantees acquired a title to Dedham Island, 
Needham, Natickj and three thousand four hundred acres 



9 



IQ HISTORY OF DEDHAW. [chaf. i. 

in the east part of Sherburne /^i'^,"^;^" Pf °" P"J' 
chased three hundred acres of Samuel Dudley ofRox- 
bury, situated on or near the south hne of Roxbm-y and 
between that line and Dedham village. This land, al- 
though within the bounds of Roxbury when purchased 
was afterwards considered apart of Dedham ; and was 
ceded to the proprietors of the town, by the ongma pu - 
chaser. The boundary line between the towns at this 
place was for several years a subject of dispute, but was 
finally decided by a committee of the general court "i 
favor of Dedham. The eastern boundary ot Dedham, 
during a century from its first settlement, was a consider- 
able distance west of Neponset river, running neady pa- 
rallel with the general course of the river, and about a 
mile distant from it. But the towns of Stoughton and 
Dedham, by mutual consent carried back the boundary 
to Neponset river, and it has ever since remained the di- 
viding line between the two towns. The great care be- 
stowed by the first settlers, in fixing their boundaries with 
precision, and afterwards at proper periods examining and 
re-establishing the monuments which denoted them, has 
had a happy effect in preventing disputes on that subject. 

Ancient state of the land.-No record exists which de- 
scribes the situation of the meadows on Charles aiid 
Neponset rivers, or the forests. The meadows on Ne- 
ponset river were so far cleared of trees and undervvood, 
that they produced grass. The inhabitants of Dedham 
in the beginning of their settlement, hired those meadows 
of Israel Stoughton for a pasture for their young cattle. 
A tradition existed at an early period, that the grass, 
called fowl meadoiv, which is superior to that of any other 
kind in the fresh water meadows, was first brought to the 
meadows in Dedham, by a large flight of wild fowls, and 
that from thence the meadows and the grass received 
their names.* All the rivers and streams were clogged 
with trees, roots and other matter, which had been ac- 
cumulated by time. The water was in consequence much 

* Dr. Nathaniel Ames, the elder, in his Almanack for 1764 S'^^s the follo^^ng 
account of the oriRin of fowl meadow grass. " The famous '7' ">^f ^r'.K'ld 
says he, " was brought into a spacious meadow on Neponset "^e^, bj the wna 
fo^, Which frequent that place, where it first made f .^PP^^'-^";^^,^^ the 
years ago. The seed is now collected, and earned into many parti of tnc 
wuairy. "—Hutchinso7i's History, vol. 1, p. 425. 



^3AP. I] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 1^ 

loncrer retained on the meadows. There are numerous 
votes in the town records, relating to the c earmg of the 
streams of Charles and Neponset rivers. Numerous com- 
mittees were appointed, to devise plans for loweiing the 
water in Charlls' river. Hay of a very coarse kmd was 
in the beo-inning of the settlement obtained from these 
meadowsr In s^ome places on the bank of Charles nvei, 
trees are imbeded in the mud eight or ten feet and are 
as low as the bottom of the present bed of thj3 riv'er 
From these and other data, it is supposed that the 
Charles river meadows have gradually arisen from a 
broken impenetrable swamp, covered with fallen rees, a d 
the greatest part of the time covered with water, to its 
present state. The grass in many places has much im- 
proved in quality within present recollection. A coat ot 
peat, from three to four feet in depth covers these mea- 
dows, and may have been principally formed within tvvo 
hundl-ed years: The deep soil of the upland was coveiexl 
with large trees, principally oak. The large oak tree 
now staifding in' front of Mr. Avery's dwelling house in 
East street, of sixteen feet circumference, is probably much 
older than this town, and forcibly reminds us, how strong 
and stately stood his old companions of the forest. VVig- 
wam and Purgatory-Swamps were dismal places. Ihey 
were covered with a thick growth of cedars and hemlock. 
These with much underwood rendered these places almost 
impenetrable. Wigwam Swamp became the resort of wi d 
beasts. It being near the village, the wolf-howl was heard 
from it. To break up that den, it was made a condition 
of every grant of land, that the grantee should clear away 
the wood standing on a certain quantity of land in the 

^™e land when first cleared produced wheat and flax, 
althoucrh these crops cannot now be produced. From the 
frequent mention of wheat being made a tender in pay- 
ment, and the contracts to be fulfilled by the payment of 
wheat, it may be inferred that it was a usual crop. But i 
discover no evidence to oppose the statement of Hutchin- 
son that wheat began to blast after the year 1664. lie 
rich mould which had been created by time, rendered the 
lands productive. It may be presumed that all their crops 
were good at first, except that of English gniss. Ihat 
article was very scarce for many years, for in 1649 the wet 



12 HIS'J'ORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. i. 

season prevented the making of hay on the meadows, and 
there was great distress here on that account. The inhabi- 
tants went from tliis town to the Wrentham meadows to 
cut grass that year. 

Origin of Mother BrooJc. About a quarter of a mile north 
of the new court house in Dedham, Mother Brook starts 
out of Charles river and runs in a proper and direct course 
round the high lands near the village, and then at the only 
place where it could find a passage, goes easterly and 
joins the Neponset river, forming in its course between 
the two rivers five mill seats of great value. This stream 
thus leaving its principal bed and running oft' to join a 
neighbouring stream lias been represented as a natural 
curiosity ; at least the inhabitants have no knowledge of 
its having been caused by man. When I discovered the 
record of its being an artificial work, a natural, but ground- 
less fear was excited, that it would do harm to publish the 
truth concerning it. Abraham Shaw had been encoura- 
ged to build a water mill in the first year of the settlement 
and a committee was appointed to designate the place. 
Shaw soon after died, but the committee suggested the 
measure of forming this new stream, which is recorded in 
these words : " 2Sth day, 1st month, 1639. Ordered that a 
ditch shall be dug at common charge, through upper 
Cliarles meadow unto East Brook, that it may both be a 
partition fence in the same, and also may form a suitable 
course unto a water mill, that it shall be found fitting to 
set a mill upon in the opinion of a workman to be em- 
ployed for that purpose." The water mill was soon 
after built, as we shall see hereafter. The source of East 
Brook was more than one hundred rods east of the Nor- 
folk and Bristol turnpike where it crosses this stream. At 
this point a curious observer may see the truth of this 
account, in the original state of the ground ; he will in vain 
seek for any natural bed of this stream. In addition to 
this evidence the tradition of cutting the canal for this 
stream, has been preserved in one family, which from fear 
of consequences, have refrained from divulging the fact. 

Description of the village in 16G4. The first settlers 
agreed that each married man should have a house lot 
of twelve acres; part upland, and part meadow. In loca- 



^jiAP. il HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 13 

tincT the lots by such a rule, they must necessarily be near 
each other, on the margin of the meadows near the mod- 
ern village. Such in facl was the case. In 1664, ninety-five 
small houses near each other were situated withm a short 
distance of the place where the new court house now 
stands ; the greater part of them east of that place, and 
around Dwight's brook. A row of houses stood on the 
north side of High street, as that road was then called, 
which extends from the bridge over Dwight's brook west- 
wardly by the court house. The total amount of the 
value of these houses was 691 pounds. Four only of the 
houses were valued at 20 pounds. The greater number 
were valued from three to ten pounds. The greatest num- 
ber of these houses were built soon after the first settle- 
ment commenced. There were then very few carpenters, 
joiners or masons in the colony. There was no saw mill 
in the settlement for many years. The only boards which 
could be procured at first, were those which were sawed 
by hand. The saw pits, now seen, denote that boards 
were sawed in the woods. The necessary materials, 
bricks, glass and nails, were scarcely to be obtained. 
These houses therefore must have been principally con- 
structed by farmers, not by mechanics, and have been 
very rude and inconvenient. They were probably log- 
houses. Their roofs were covered with thatch. By an 
ordnance of the town, a ladder was ordered to extend from 
the ground to the chimney, as a substitute for a more 
perfect fire engine. Around these houses nothing was 
seen but stumps, clumsy fences of poles, and an uneven 
and unsubdued soil ; such as all the first settlements in 
New England present. The native forest trees were not 
suitable shades for a door yard. A shady tree was not 
then such an agreeable object as it now is, because it 
could form no agreeable contrast with cleared grounds. 
Where the meeting house of the first parish now stands, 
there stood for more than 30 years a low building, thirty 
six feet long and twenty wide, twelve feet high, with a 
thatched roof, and a large ladder resting on it. This was the 
first meeting house. Near by was the school house stand- 
ing on an area of 18 feet by 14, and rising to three stories, 
The third story however was a watch house of small 
dimensions. The watch house was beside the ample 
stone chimney. The spectator elevated on the little box 



14 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. i. 

called the watch house, might view this plain, on which 
a part of the present village stands, then a common plough 
field, containing then about two hundred acres of cleared 
land, partially subdued ; yet full of stumps and roots. 
Around him at a farther distance, were the herd walks, as 
the common feeding lands were called, in the language of 
that time. One of these herd-walks was on Dedham Island 
north of Charles river, and one was at East street and more 
fully in view. The other herd walk was on South plain. 
The herd walks were at first no better cultivated than 
cutting down the trees, and carrying away the wood and 
timber, and afterwards, when it was practicable in the 
spring of the year, burning them over under the direction 
of town officers called wood reeves. Land thus treated 
would in the spring appear barren ; for nothing would 
be seen but black stumps, the burnt soil, and the rocks. 
It would scarcely appear better when the wild grass and 
the cropped shrubs next succeeded. The meadows were 
not yet cleared to any great extent. Beyond these herd 
walks, was a continued wilderness, which was becoming 
more disagreeable to the inhabitants, for the cattle and 
goats and swine seem to have allured the wolves to their 
neighborhood. The dense swamps about Wigwam were 
not yet cleared. The numerous dogs in the plantation, 
which were so troublesome to the worshipping assembly, 
were not a sufficient guard against the wolves. The inhab- 
itants for many years after this period encouraged their 
hunters by additional bounties to destroy these troublesome 
enemies. 

The herd walks in 1659 contained 532 acres, and the 
inhabitants then had feeding therein 477 cattle. The 
roads were very imperfect. We hear of persons passing 
on the bridge and cause way at Dwight's brook, when the 
water thereon was as high as the horses belly, so late as 
the year 1700. 

A law of the colony as well as the dangers of the people, 
compelled the first settlers to build their houses near each 
other. The necessity of adhering to this law, continued 
more than 50 years. In 1GS2 complaints were made in 
town meeting, that some had built houses a mile and an 
half from the meeting house. It was prohibited at that 
time. But the law soon after began to be disregarded, 
and the inhabitants soon abandoned their first habitations ; 



CHAP. I.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 15 

and built houses in all parts of the present town. Sixty 
or seventy years time swept away the humble village of 
the first settlers ; and the place was occupied by a few 
farmers for about a hundred years. When Dedham became 
the seat of justice for the county of Norfolk, then began 
the second village on the place of the former one. 

The present village including Connecticut corner, con- 
tains upwards of one hundred houses. Nearly all of them 
are two stories high and convenient. More than four fifths 
of the houses are painted, a few are elegant, so far as that 
term can with propriety be applied to a wooden house. 
The public buildings are three houses for public worship, 
a stone jail and a new stone court house. It may be esti- 
mated that the present town contains a quantity of land 
equal to a tract of six and an half miles in length and 
five and a half miles in breadth. The Norfolk and Bris- 
tol turnpike runs from the Roxbury line, in a south west- 
erly direction through the town, intersecting it lengthwise, 
leaving somewhat the greatest section on the west of it. 
There are sixty-seven miles of other roads. The extensive 
and valuable meadows on Neponset river are skirted with 
forests, sometimes with the evergreens of the low-land, 
and then with forests of oak and walnut. There are seve- 
ral smooth plains of some extent. The uplands in some 
places have rocky or uneven surface unfit for cultivation. 
These places will always present the same appearance ; 
for they will be used only for growing wood, for which 
they are valuable. 

Excepting these wood lands, which are not too extensive 
for their appropriated use, the surface is agreeably varied 
with rising grounds of a smooth surface. The ground 
most elevated in the town, is that where is situated the 
meeting house of the third parish. From that place the 
spectator has an extensive prospect. This spot may be 
considered as a place devoted forever in the affections of 
the people in that neighbourhood ; since their late pastor 
the Rev. Thomas Thatcher, on the occasion of pulling 
down the old meeting house for the purpose of building a 
new one thereon, so appropriately applied to it the text of 
his discourse, " Our Fathers ivorskipped on this Mountain.'''' 
A tract of the best land in town is situated on the hills 
north of this meeting house. The stranger passing on 
the main roads in town, sees nothing, the buildings ex- 



IG HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. i. 

cepted, above ordinary interest. Yet if he have a taste 
for a variety of rural scenes,* he rnay be dehghted with 
places on Dedham Island, with the banks of the iMother 
Brook at the mills, with the thick woods south of Wig- 
wam, and even with that forest called Muddy Pond woods, 
and wood lands south of it, and particularly with that high 
ground north of the third parish meeting house, called 
Fox hill. A village is about to arise at a place called the 
Mills, one mile and a half east of the Court house. The 
water power of five dams across Mother Brook, will soon 
move a considerable quantity of machinery ; and there 
must soon be a considerable increase of houses and pop- 
ulation at that place, possibly it may in a short time ex- 
ceed that around the court house. 

In the tables which I shall annex to this sketch, I shall 
give a more definite description of the rising manufactur- 
ing establishments at this place. 

* Rura mihi et rigui placeant in vallibus amnes 
Flumina amem Sylvas que iiigloiius. — Virgil. 



CHAP, h] history of dedham. 



CHAPTER II. 



JIow a settler became a proprietor of the lands. Mode of dividing lands at liis,t. 
Common ploughfield. Wood Lands. Rules for making future dividends of 
lands established in 1G56. Disputes arising therefrom. Finally settled by com- 
mittee of general court. Measures to extinguish the Indian titles. Treaty 
with king Philip and other sachems. Measures to establish other plantations. 
Medfiekl in the records called Bargarstowe. VVrentham called Wollomonopoag. 
Deerfield c^Wcd Petumiuck. Natick Indians principally under the care of Mr. 
Eliot. 

How persons became proprietors of the common lands. — Thk 
second giant of the general court in September, 1636, 
enlarging the lormer one, for a plantation, was made to 
nineteen persons. These grantees of course were the 
sole owners until they admitted new associates. Tliis 
they did at first without demanding any compensation. 
By the fourth article in the town covenant, every man 
was entitled to have lots in town, who was admitted an 
inhabitant, and would sign the covenant, which obliged 
him to pay all sums imposed on him rateably, and subject- 
ed him to the observance of all orders and constitutions 
necessary for the public peace, and a loving society. 

As the new comers were voted into the society, they 
immediately had lots assigned them. 

After the wood was cleared off their home lots, the in- 
habitants applied to the wood reeves for leave to cut wood 
and tnnber, to cut hoop poles, and peal bark on the com- 
mon lands. The frecjuent practice of cutting without 
leave caused much difficulty. 

In 1642, the proprietors, then forty-seven in number, 
agreed that 200 acres of the land where the houses now 
stand south of high street, should be made a common til- 
lage field ; and tliuteach proprietor's share therein, should 
be marked out and assigned to him by seven men chosen 
for that purpose. 

The execution of this design shows the excellent spirit 
of the inhabitants, and the great influence of their princi- 
pal men. 

The seven committee men decided that the quantity of 
land to be assigned to each person ought not to depend 
3 



IS HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. [cuap. ii. 

on one arbitrary rule, but on the various considerations of 
each man's personal merit, and usefulness, on his ability 
to improve, or the amount of taxes by him paid. Some 
men, then servants, were to have lots as freemen. Upon 
this plan, major Lusher v/ith the rest of the committee, set 
off to Mr. Allin, the minister, 23 acres, to elder Hunting 
and deacon Chickering, 14 acres each, to major Lusher IS 
acres, to the remainder of the inhabitants from eight to one 
acre each. How admirable the love of peace which sub- 
mits without complaint to such a division ! ! Can any 
Agrarian law ever effect a division of lands so perfect as 
this .? 

In 1645, 375 acres of wood land were divided among 
the proprietors on a similar plan. 

In 1656, the proprietors resolved they would not make 
any more free grants of their common lands to strangers. 
It became necessary therefore to establish some perma- 
nent rule for dividing their lands, among the present pro- 
prietors and their heirs. No one pretended that all should 
have an equal share. They agreed on this principle. — 
That each man's share should be proportioned to the valu- 
ation of his property, as it was made the last year for the 
purpose of assessing the rates. They then found that the 
number of acres in the herd walks, or cow commons, was 
532 acres, and the number of cattle fed thereon somewhat 
less. They further found that by allowing one cow com- 
mon for every eight pounds valuation of estate, the whole 
number of cow common rights or shares would be four 
hundred and seventy-seven. And this would make the 
number of cow commons the nearest to their then num- 
ber of cattle. Five goat commons or five sheep commons 
were computed equal to one cow common, and were used 
as fractions of a whole right. When this rule came to be 
applied, it bore hardly on several poor persons, whose 
estates were low in the valuation. The proprietors there- 
fore, so far departed from the rule, that they granted to 
these poor men, according to the necessity or equity of 
their case, twenty-five cow common rights more, which 
added to the former number made five hundred and two 
common rights or shares. By making the number of 
shares i\\c hundred and two, a two fold purpose was 
answered. It regulated the right which each man then 
had in the herd walk, and it would serve as a rule in all 



CHAP, n.] IIISTOHY of DEDUA-Al 19 

future dividends throughout their extensive proprietary. 
Tluis far the proprietors proceeded without any difficulty, 
and what they had done was not afterwards questioned. 
But they went farther and determined, that those propri- 
etors v.'ho had lands in town, but who did not reside in it 
at that time, should not have any right to put cattle into 
the cow commons, although they should have dividends 
in the lands. This decision operated unequally on ensign 
Henry Philips, who then lived in Boston, and on several 
others. They made their complaints. To settle this dis- 
pute, major Humphrey Atherton, Richard Russel, Thomas 
Danforth, Royal Clap, and Richard Cook, were appointed 
referees, by the general court, and afterwards by the con- 
sent of the contending parties. These commissioners 
came to Dedham in February, 1659, and made a formal 
award, which they support by several quotations of scrip- 
ture. They award to ensign Philips and other aggrieved 
persons, twelve more cow common rights ; and that the 
church, for the purpose of supporting a teacher, should 
have eight more, making the whole number, five hundred 
and twenty-two. The parties acquiesced in this decision, 
and the selectmen immediately agreeably to the rule thus 
finally settled, assigned to the eighty proprietors their due 
shares. The commissioners further awarded, that in all 
future measures, in managing the proprietary, the majority 
in interest should govern. Thus after this decision, there 
were two distinct bodies. The proprietors and inhabi- 
tants, including non-proprietors. But for many years this 
distinction existed only in theory, for there were not any 
persons for many years in the town, who were inhabitants 
and at th.e same time non-proprietors. In process of time, 
the two separate bodies had meetings on the same day, 
and their doings were recorded in the same book. The 
commissioners mention that many places had almost been 
ruined by disputes occasioned by a division of lands. 

Extinguishment of India n titles. — The land was granted 
to the first settlers, subject to the Indian title. They 
Avere bound by a law of the colony, as well as by their 
own sense of right, to extinguish that title, by equitable 
contract. It is pleasing to find how fully and fairly this 
was done. 
. In IGGO, two agents arc nppoi)ited to treat with the 



20 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. ii. 

Sagamores who owned Wollomonopoag, now Wrenthom. 
In 1G62, Richard EUis and Timothy Dwight, the agents 
appointed for that purpose, made a report, that they liad 
made a treaty with Philij) the Sagamore, for lands six 
miles square, or ns much as six miles square, at Wolhimo- 
nopoag, and exhibited his deed thereof, under hand and 
seal. Six days after this report is made, the town ratify 
the treaty and assess their common rights, to the amount 
of twenty-four pounds ten shillings, for the purpose of pay- 
ing king Philip the stipulated price for his deed. This 
treaty required five years of negociation, as appears by 
the records. Our commissioners were assisted in this 
business by captain Thomas Willet, of Sekonk, a gentle- 
man very useful to the early colonists, in many emploj'- 
ments. 

"In November, 1669, upon notice of Philip, sagamore 
of IMount Hope, now at Wollomonopoag, oftering a treaty 
of his lands thereabouts, not yet purchased." The select- 
men appoint Timothy Dwight, and four other persons, to 
repair to him on the morrow, with authority to treat with 
him for his remaining right thereabouts, provided he can 
show that he has any, and provided he will secure the 
town against future claims of other sachems. 

At this time the first grant of six miles square had not 
been located ; possibly however the boundaries may have 
been fixed in the deed. Tradition informs us that in this 
second treaty, king Philip showed the Dedham commis- 
sioners the northern boundaries of his kingdom, which 
was the southern boundary of the sachemdom of Chick- 
atabot, which was somewhere in the town of Walpole, and 
actually traced out the line, beginning at a point north 
east of the Wollomonopoag hill in Wrentham, then going 
westerly in a circuit, round that point, and that the shape 
of land in the second grant, was somewhat like that of a 
new moon, inclosing a part of the first grant within its 
horns. Why any land, especially a narrow strip, should 
have been reserved to Philip in this place, is not easily 
accounted for. Probably none was really reserved ; but 
that wary chief, finding that the inhabitants were willing 
to purchase and prompt to pay, was willing to make an 
experiment. By this time he had learned that the white 
people would at all events possess his lands, and the only 
^ing he could do, was then to procure as much money for 



CHAP. II.] HISTORY OF DEDH.VM. 21 

his lands as he could. Besides, he might well calculate 
that the inhabitants would prefer to purchase a doubtful 
title, rather than that a powerful sagamore should have a 
plausible pretext for a quarrel. On the 1 5th of November, 
1669, the town ordered the common rights to be assessed 
seventeen pounds eight shillings, to complete the payment 
of this second purchase of Philip. 

The Indian titles to Dedham and Medfield. — The sachems 
of the Neponset tribe claimed the territory west of the river 
Neponset, bounded northerly by Charles river, and south- 
erly on king Philip's land. I find no deed nor treaty for 
the title to Dedham, but it must be inferred that a pur- 
chase was actually made. For in the year 16S4, a com- 
mittee appointed to treat with the Indian sachem Josias, 
for a parcel of land south of Neponset river, near the 
saw mills, and to procure from him a confirmation of all the 
lands between that and Charles river. The purchase was 
made with Messrs. Dudley and Stoughton, the guardians 
of Josias. And five pounds given for the claim. 

The Indian title to the land in Medfield was purchased 
of Chickatabot ; it was afterwards again purchased of 
his grand-son, Josias, in 1685, for the consideration of 
four pounds ten shillings.* 

William JVehoiden and Maffus^ titles. — In April, 1680, 
the town agreed to give William Nehoiden ten pounds in 
money, forty shillings in Indian corn, forty acres of land 
at the upper falls on Charles river, for a tract of land seven 
miles long, from east to west, on the north side of Charles 
river, and five miles wide. 

In the same year, they gave Magus, another sachem, 
eight pounds, three in Indian corn, and five in money, for 
his lands about Magus hill. Thus was the Indian title to 
Natick, Needham, and Dedham island extinguished. 

In 1681, the town voted that all deeds and other writ- 
ings relating to the town rights, should be collected for 
the purpose of being more carefully preserved. After this 
vote had been duly published, captain Fisher and Timothy 
Dwight brought to the selectmen seven Indian deeds, four 
from the Indians at Petumtuck, one from Philip, one from 
Nehoiden, one from Magus, and a receipt from Philip. 
These writings were ordered to be deposited in a box kept 

■^ Dr. .Saunder?' sermon, preached at Medfield, January 5. 1817. 



2i HISTORY OF DEDKAM. [chap. ii. 

by deacon Aldis for that purpose. I cannot find that any 
of these deeds were recorded in the town records, or that 
they are now in existence. These purchases were made 
with much difficulty, and some of them required many years 
of negociation. The purchases were for a sufficient con- 
sideration. No white man could overreach Phihp. Josias 
was under the guardianship of governor Dudley and Mr. 
Stoughton, and advised by his counsellors, old Ahawton, 
William Ahawton, and Robert Momontage. The interests 
of the Naticks were protected by general Gookins, and 
Mr. Eliot. 

Settlements begun in other towns. — When the general 
court granted so large a tract of land as it did, to the first 
inhabitants, it virtually imposed on them the duty of be- 
ginning new settlements in different places, within their 
territory, whenever circumstances would permit it to be 
done. 

The well being of the colony required that every new 
settlement to be made in the wilderness, should be under- 
taken by a sufficient number of persons, by men of ortho- 
dox opinions in religion, of competent abilities, and under 
such other encouraging circumstances as would justify 
the attempt. How well the principal men of this planta- 
tion acquitted themselves, in performing this difficult and 
important duty, we shall see. 

Medfield. — Medfield was the first town settled by the 
Dedham proprietors. In 1640, Dedham granted to Ed- 
ward Allyne, 300 acres at Bargarstowe, (so spelled,) where 
he should chose to have the land, with fifty acres of mea- 
dow. This grant was not located until 1649, when it was 
done by an order of the town, under the direction of major 
Lusher, and two others. Mr. Allyne was then dead. — 
This gentleman died in Boston, in 1642. The petition to 
the general court in 1649, for the grant of a township by 
Edward Allyne and others, as asserted by Dr. Saunders' 
sermon, is so far incorrect, that it was probably the heirs 
of Edward Allyne who were among the petitioners, and 
not Edwp.rd Allyne himself, as asserted. 

In January, 1650, the town of Dedham consented with- 
out any objection, to the incorporation of Medfield, and 
then transferred all its right to the soil, and its jurisdiction 
to that town. 



THAI-. 11. ] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 23 

Ralph Wheelock and Robert Hinsdale, of the first eight 
admitted into the Dedham church, were among the first 
settlers. Mr. Wheelock had been a candidate for rul- 
ing elder. The character of all the settlers were such 
that all stipulations for the support of religion and educa- 
tion were unnecessary. After an amicable negociation of 
one or two years, Medfield, by their commissioners, Tho- 
mas Parsons, Robert Hinsdale, Henry Adams, and George 
Barber, agreed to pay Dedham fifty pounds, in two years, 
for all its rights in the lands in Medfield. 

Wrentham. — In 16G0, a committee previously appointed, 
report to the town that they had been to view the lands at 
Wollomonopoag, and recommend a settlement there. A 
committee is then appointed to make regulations for the 
proposed plantation. The next year, the town order six 
hundred acres to be laid down at that place to encour- 
age a plantation there, and a committee of five persons, of 
which major Lusher is chairman, is appointed to regulate 
the business. The committee is authorised to determine 
who were suitable persons to be entrusted with the go- 
vernment of the new settlement. To locate the village to 
be built. To designate the place for a meeting house, 
and to establish highways. 

In IGGl, the proprietors of Dedham voted to sell all their 
uplands and meadows at Wollomonopoag, to such persons as 
we '■'■fit to carry on the loork of a plantation in church and com- 
monwealth,^^ for the consideration of orte hundred and sixty 
pounds, to be paid by installments, in four years. The 
next year, the town voted to suspend the settlement for the 
present. Previous to this, the following persons had al- 
ready begun a settlement. Anthony Fisher, Sargent El- 
lis, Robert Ware, James Thorp, Isaac Bullard, Samuel 
Fisher, Samuel Parker, John Farrington, Pcalph Freeman, 
and Sargent Stevens. When these men were prohibited 
from proceeding in the settlement, a question arose who 
should possess the GOO acres, appropriated for the encour- 
agement of the plantation. It was claimed exclusively by 
those who had begun the plantation. The vote devoting 
six hundred acres for that purpose, was indeed indefinite, 
but it must have encouraged the expectation, that it was a 
donation — the town determined otherwise. But the suf- 
ferers, by this unsuccessful attempt to make a settlement. 



24 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. u. 

were partially or entirely indemnified. The records do 
not stale why the settlement was suspended, but it is pret- 
ty evident that a sufficient number of orthodox and able 
men did not volunteer at first in that enterprise. In the 
language of the town vote, the persons were not fit for the 
work of church and commonwealth. In 1672, it appears 
thirty-four persons owned all the lands at Wrentham, by 
an assessment on their common rights in that town. By 
this time, the number and ability of the inhabitants were 
sufficient to support the plantation. They could then 
comply with the condition in the grant. They were of 
sufficient numbers and capacity to carry on the work of 
church and commonwealth, in the opinion of the general 
court. They were incorporated into a township in the 
year 1673. In the succeeding year, the proprietors of 
Dedham transferred all their records relating to Wren- 
tham, to the inhabitants in that place. 

Deerfield, [called Petumiuck, in the records.) — When the 
general court ordered two thousand acres ofland, within 
the grant to Dedham, to be appropriated for an Indian 
village at Natick; it granted at the same time to the pro- 
prietors of this town, as a compensation therefore, 8000 
acres of any unlocated lands within the jurisdiction, where- 
ever they might chose to have the land. 

In 1663, messengers were sent out by the town, to ex- 
amine the chesnut country, (so called in the records, pro- 
bably some part of Worcester county,) near Lancaster. — 
On their return, the} reported that the land was tolerably 
good, but hard to bring under cultivation, and there was 
not there a sufficiency of meadow. Soon after this report 
was made, John Fairbanks informed the selectmen, that 
there was some very good land about twelve miles from 
Hadley, where the 8000 acres might be located. Whereup- 
on the selectmen immediately sent out John Fairbanks and 
lieutenant Daniel Fisher, to discover the land and examine 
it. These men were instructed first to go to Sudbury 
and enquire of ensign Noys, and if necessary, then go to 
Lancaster, to enquire of Good Willard respecting the land. 
On their return, they reported that they had found the land 
sought after, that it was exceedingly good, and ought as 
soon as possible, be taken possession of under the grant. 
He who has seen the fertile intervales on Deerfield river. 



CHAP. II.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 25 

or heard of the famous fat cattle annually brought thence 
to the Brighton market, or recollects the subsequent events 
of Indian warfare at that place, can hardly suppress in his 
imagination, the glowing and interesting account the re- 
turning messengers would give of that country. Lieu- 
tenant Fisher we may suppose would say, on this occasioji, 
after having given his account of wandering many days in 
the hilly country, covered with great trees of oak and 
chesnut, and having described the only settlements of white 
men seen on his journey, Sudbury, Lancaster, and Iladley, 
"We at length arrived at the place we sought after. We 
called it Petumtuck, because there dwell the Petumtuck 
Indians. Having ascended a little hill, apparently sur- 
rounded by rich meadow land, from that spot we beheld 
broad meadows, extending far north, west, and south of us. 
In these meadows we could trace the course of a fine river, 
which comes out from tiie mountains on the north west, 
and running northerly, through many miles of meadow, 
seemed to us to run in among the hills again, at the north 
east. The tall trees of button wood and ehn, exposed to 
us its course. That meadow is not soft and covered with 
coarse water grass, like that around us here, but is hard land. 
It is the best land that we have seen in this colony; we 
dug holes in the meadow, with the intent to find the depth 
of the soil, but could not find the bottom. At the foot of 
the little hill we stood on, is a plat of ground sufiiciently 
large to build a village upon, and sufficiently liigh to be 
out of the reach of the spring floods. Providence led us 
to that place ? It is indeed far away from our plantations, 
and the Canaanites and Amalckites dwell in thai valley, and 
if they have any attachment to any spot on earth, must 
delight to live there. But that land must be ours. Our 
people have resolute and pious hearts, and strong hands to 
overcome all difficulties. Let us go and possess the land, 
and in a few years you will hear more boast of it in this 
colony, as a land good for flocks and herds, than could 
ever be justly said of the land of Goshen, or any part of 
the land of Canaan." 

When the town heard this report, it immediately ap- 
pointed six persons to repair to Petumtuck. and cause the 
SOOO acres to be located there. Captain John Pynchon, 
of Springfield, was employed by the town to purchase 
those lands of the Indians. He soon after performed that 
1 



i/6 HiSTORV OF DEDHAil. [cHAr. u. 

duty, and procured four deeds from the Indians, which 
deeds were afterwards deposited in deacon Aldis' box. — 
Dedharn gave ninety-four pounds ten shillings for these 
deeds ; which sum was procured by an assessment on the 
common rights in the Dedham proprietary. 

In 1670, the proprietors of Petumtuck met at Dedham. 
Their whole number was twenty-six. Captain John 
Pynchon, Samuel Hinsdale, John Stebbins, John Hulburt, 
and Sampson Frarey, among the proprietors, were never 
inhabitants of Dedham. The remaining part of the pro- 
prietors were inhabitants of this town. 

This meeting voted to employ an artist to lay out lots 
to each proprietor. To present a correct plan to the 
town of Dedham. A committee of three was appointed 
to give instructions to the artist, to designate the place 
for a town, and determine where the meeting house should 
be built. To locate the church officers' lot, to make u 
fair assignment of lots to the proprietors. 

In 1672, Samuel Hinsdale, on behalf of Petumtuck, pe- 
titions Dedham to appoint suitable persons a committee to 
regulate affairs at the former place. The next year he re- 
newed his petition, and urged the distresses of his friends, 
by means of their remote situation from other settlements. 
Then five persons are immediately authorised, 

1st, To admit suitable inhabitants by purchasing lands 
or otherwise. 

2d, To make orders about herding cattle, and keeping 
swine. 

3d, To regulate fences. 

4th, To hire an orthodox minister with the concurrence 
of the elders of two adjoining churches, and for that pur- 
osy to assess two shillings on each common right at Pe- 
tumtuck. 

What compensation was given to Dedham for their 
rights in the lands at Petumbuck, does not appear. As 
that town was owned by the Dedham proprietors, in such 
portions and shares as were denoted by the common 
rights in Dedham proprietary, the purchase was made of 
each cotenant by each cotenant of the Petumtuck lands. 

This is the beginning of Deerfield, which is much cele- 
brated for its rich meadows, formed by the junction of 
Deerfield river with the Connecticut, for the great number 
of cattle which arc annually fatted there, exceeding both 



CHAP, n.) HISTORY OF DEDIIA3I. 37 

in number and size that of any other town in New Eng- 
land of equal extent. The mountain scenery there is de- 
lightful. There too are shown the battle grounds, where 
the unfortunate Petumtucks contended with the inhabi- 
tants for their inheritance, after they had sold it for a fair 
price. 

Indian village at JVntick. — The reverend John Eliot, the 
minister of Roxbury, first proposed the attempt to convert 
the natives of this country to civilization and Christianity. 
In the year 1646, he began to instruct that portion of the 
Massachusetts tribe, which resided at that time at a place 
called Nonantum, within the present town of Newton. — 
There he met with success in tlie conversion of some In- 
dians, and among others, ofWaban,a wise and grave man 
of that tribe. Some progress was there made in building 
a village, but in a few years it was abandoned. Mr. Eliot 
ever maintained the opinion that the In<lians could not be- 
come christians, unless they were first civilized. He 
therefore proposed that the Indians of Nonantum should 
be collected into a village, in a more convenient place 
than their present one ; and designated a place on Charles 
river, then within the limits of Dedham, and ten miles 
w^estofthe village in this town, since called Natick, an 
Indian word which signifies a place of hills. When this 
measure was proposed to the general court, Dedham rea- 
dily consented to it, and sent their agents there to express 
its concurrence. The general court granted 2000 acres 
for the Indian town in 1651. It is asserted by those who 
described that town afterwards, that it contained about 
6000 acres. In the year 1659, Dedham appointed nine 
persons to define the limits of the Indian town. But these 
men of the woods, who had wandered over an indefinite 
extent of territory, and who very imperfectly understood 
the English notion of land-marks, were not all at once to be 
confined to one place, defined only by imaginary lines, and 
marked trees. They would not agree on bounds. They 
would not meet the Dedham committee. When bounda- 
ries were at last fixed, they disregarded them, and commit- 
ted trespasses on the lands belonging to Dedham, and 
much litigation and trouble ensued from these causes. 

The Naticks, so the tribe was afterwards called, soon 
hnilt a little town, which had three long streets, two or> 



28 lilSTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. ii. 

the north of Charles river, and one on the south of it. 
Each family had a house lot. Most of the houses were built 
in the Indian style, the principal materials of which were 
poles set in the ground and covered WMth pealed bark. 
The few built in the manner of English houses, were less 
perfect and comfortable. There was one large house, the 
lower room of which answered the double pur|)Ose of a 
school room, and a meeting house. In the second story, 
the Indians deposited their skins and their other valuable 
things. In the corner of the second story, Mr. Eliot had 
a little room partitioned oft', in which he had a bed. 
These Indians were supplied with spades, hoes, axes, and 
all other tools necessary for the improvement of their land. 
Mr. Eliot recommended to them a form of government, 
similar to a model in Exodus, and they actually chose 
rulers of tens, of fifties, and hundreds. But these rulers 
were to be approved by a superior authority. To aid this 
imperfect Indian government, an English magistrate \^'as 
appointed to hold a court among them. This magistrate 
in fact appointed the Indian rulers. That is, men to de- 
cide small causes, constables, and marshals ; and had the 
same authority as a court of common pleas in all judicial 
matters. 

The general court from time to time, made laws for the 
purpose of regulating the Indian towns, guarding them 
against various evils, and protecting their rights. Their 
great and devoted patron, Mr. Eliot, taught that portion of 
the tribe who would hear him, the doctrines of the chris- 
tian religion, by addressing them in their own language. 
He translated the bible into their own language, and to 
prepare them for better understanding the lessons taught, 
schools were established for their children, and in the 
summer season, once every fortnight, he was present to 
teach some of his Indian disciples the art of rightly em- 
ploying their understandings, by which means several per- 
sons of this tribe were prepared to become teachers. 

As an almost unconquerable aversion to labor, is the In- 
dian's great sin, the English magistrate among them was 
commanded to encourage industry by rewards and penal- 
ties. In the year 1G70, the Indian church at Natick had 
two teachers, John and Anthony, and from forty to fifty 
communicants. They observed the sabbath. Some of 
them could read, some could read and write, and rehearse 



CHAP. 11.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 29 

the catechism. These flattering prospects inspired strong 
hopes that the noble eflbrts made for their conversion, 
would be successful, but this account thus far, is that of 
general Gookins and Mr. Eliot, by whose great exertions, 
these favorable effects were produced, and by whose zeal, 
they were perhaps favorably represented.* The reverend 
Stephen Badger, minister of Natick, in the year 1797, in 
a letter to the historical society, f writes the last chapter 
of the history of this tribe. The remnant of that tribe had 
been under his parochial care ; but he could find no re- 
cords or written evidence of their former doings. The full 
bloods of that tribe did not then exceed twenty, and they 
were dispersed. 1 he causes of their decay were numerous. 
The attempt to force them into civilization, broke down 
their spirit. JTheir conscious inferiority in all their at- 
tempts to imitate white men, degraded them in their 
own estimation. Their aversion to labor, their strong pro- 
pensity to a wandering life, their strong thirst for ardent 
spirits, their natural improvidence, are causes which have 
contributed to their downfall. In the beginning of the 
last century, the tribe was in a civilized state. Some of 
the tribe held up their heads and thought something of 
themselves. They had civil officers of their own, they had 
a training company, organized in the English manner, 
with proper officers, who had their proper titles, but no 
commissions. But their trainings soon degenerated into 
drunken frolics, and were suppressed. The doctrines of 
Christianity never made a deep impression on their minds, 
although there have been men among them of sober and 
christian lives. Such was Waban. Such was deacon 
Ephraim, and several other teachers. 

The number of the tribe in 1749, was - - IGG 
" " " " " " 1763, " - - 37 

« « " " " " 1797, " - - 20 

" " " " " " 1826, " - extinct. 

This is the result of the most perfect experiment per- 
haps, that ever has, or ever will be made to civilize the na- 
tives of this country. Who has ever made equal exertions 
to that great and ardent missionary, the reverend John 
Eliot, who by way of eminence, is called the apostle to 

■ Historical collections, vol. 1st, 171. vol. 10, 12i. 
t Hislorical collections, r«l. 5. 32. 



30 HISTOHY OF DEDHAM. Ichap. u. 

the Indians. Who will ever possess such opportunities to 
convert the Indians ? They were comfortably settled in 
a village, on a tract of good land. They had the example 
of the white men, both to stimulate their exertions by the 
hopes of present reward, and to teach them the ordin- 
ary arts of life. Their former hunting grounds they knew 
were appropriated to difterent uses by the English. Gen. 
Daniel Gookins, the pious and upright superintendent of 
the Indians, was ardently devoted to their interests, and 
supported Mr. Eliot in his efforts. The good work of re- 
forming these wild men of the woods, was encouraged by 
the almost unanimous opinion of the community in their 
favor, for then no unsuccessful experiment had damped 
the spirit of christian philanthropy. The true character 
of the American Indian was not then fully understood. — 
Alas ! if we overlook all their vices, or attribute them to 
the influence of a peculiar situation, yet by one single 
trait in their character, that of aversion to labor, they were 
doomed to sudden decay and final extirpation from the 
land cultivated by civilized man. If a whole tribe merit 
a monumental stone, 1 recommend that it be placed on the 
Indian burying ground at the foot of Pegan hill, and its 
inscription may say, '■^ Here are interred the JVaticks, a tribe 
of native Indians., who were the first of that race to embrace 
Christianity. Soon after their conversion at JVonanttim, in 
1G46, they were collected into a village at this place, by their 
great patron and missionary, the reverend John Eliot. Here 
the tribe lived and gradwdly declined, and became finally ex- 
tinct before the year 1S26. 



CHAP, hi] history of dedham. 31 



CHAPTER III. 



Nftme of the town. Records. Incorporation. Town-covenant. Town legisla- 
ture of seven men. By-laws. Wood reeves. The example of a society formed 
out of its simple elements. Measures to support public worship. Method of 
supporting ministers. Parish funds. School funds and Schools. 



JVanie of the toicn. — The celebrated John Rogers, of 
Dedham, in England, had been forbidden to preach before 
our first settlers came to this country. Many of his people 
emigrated to this country and several to this town. John 
Dwight and his son Timothy Dvvight and John Rogers and 
John Page were of this number. From this circumstance 
we may suppose the general court gave to this place the 
name of Dedham. The inhabitants requested the general 
court to give it the name of Contentment, which name is 
written over the records of the first several meetings. It 
appears to me that the word well expresses the leading mo- 
tives of the first twenty-four settlers in coming into this 
town. They were soon however associated with men of 
somewhat a different and higher character. 

Records. — Very few towns it is believed have an unbro- 
ken series of records from the first commencement of their 
settlement, at an early period, to the present time. That 
Dedham has such a set of records must be attributed to 
the excellent example set by the principal townsmen of the 
first half century, they first wrote a clear account of all the 
public acts ; and then carefully preserved the most mate- 
rial of them, by duplicate copies. The second generation 
had, it is true, hardly sufficient education, even with the 
help of such good precedents, either to transact the public 
business or to make a proper record thereof. The records 
begin, September 1st, 1635, and state every transaction so 
fully that I have been able to collect this history there- 
from. To major Lusher belongs by far the greatest share 
of this praise. Some of our by-laws, for instance, those 
relating to wild horses in the woods are in the same lan- 
guage of those in the colony statute book relating to the 
same subject, althou^jh previously made. 



32 HIS'J'ORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. hi. 

September, 1G36, nineteen persons presented a peti- 
tion to the general court, wherein they request a ratifica- 
tion of the former grant to tliem, and a further grant of all 
lands above the falls in Charles river and north of it, not be- 
fore granted and five miles square on the south side of 
Charles river, and that they may be exempted from country 
charges four years, and have other encouragement in their 
non-age. The request was granted with three years ex- 
emption from public charges. 

Toum Covenant. — It was many years before the govern- 
ment of the colony could make a sufficient number of 
general laws to regulate the plantations. Each town it 
must be presumed before the enactment of a general lavv, 
to regulate their own affairs, made laws for themselves. 
How Dedham supplied this deficiency we shall see in the 
account of its town covenant, and by-laws. It did in fact 
legislate for itself in a great variety of matters. The town 
covenant, (we should call it in our times, a constitution,) 
laid the foundation for making legitimate by-law- s. The pre- 
amble to this instrument begins thus : — " We whose names 
are hereunto subscribed, do in the fear and reverence of 
our Almighty God mutually and severally promise amongst 
ourselves, and each to other, to profess and practice one 
faith according to that most perfect rule, the foundation 
whereof is everlasting love. 

" Secondly, we engage by all means, to keep off from our 
company such as shall be contrary minded, and receive 
only such into our society as will in a meek and quiet 
spirit, promote its temporal and spiritual good. 

"Thirdly, that if any differences arise, the parties shall 
presently refer all such difference unto one, two or three 
of the society, to be fully accorded by them. 

" Fourthly, that every man who shall have lots in the 
town shall pay all such sums for the public charges, as 
shall be imposed on him rateably, and shall obey all such 
by-laws and constitutions as the inhabitants shall judge 
necessary for the management of their temporal affairs, 
for religion, and for loving society. 

" Fifthly, for the better manifestation of their intentions 
herein, they subscribe their names, and bind themselves, 
and their successors forever to the true observance of this 
covenant." 



cHAi'. m.] IIISTOrvY OF DEDHAM. 33 

There is no date to this instrument, but it was executed 
before the second act of incorporation, for the petitioners 
for that act, state that they were at present under cove- 
nant. One hundred and twenty-six persons signed this in- 
strument. 

Toivn govo'nment composed of seven men. — The inliabi- 
tants having thus acquired the right in their aggregate ca- 
pacity to make laws, for tliree years exercised it. But as 
the atiairs of the plantation required monthly town meet- 
ings, this diverted them from their necessary business ; and 
in 1639, they delegated all their power, to seven men to 
be annually chosen. The power of these seven men, was 
as extensive in every respect, as that of the whole town, 
in legal meeting assembled, excepting in after times they 
were prohibited from making free grants, admitting towns- 
men, and making dividends of the lands. These seven men 
kept records of their doings, and inserted them in the 
town records, and they are recorded promiscuously among 
the doings of all the proprietors. The seven men met 
monthly for many years, made many necessary by-laws 
for the establishment of highways and fences, for the keep- 
ing of cattle, and swine, and horses ; for keeping proper 
register of land titles, and of births and marriages ; for the 
support of schools and religion ; for additional bounties 
for killing wolves and wild cats ; for the extinguish- 
ment of Indian claims. As the by-laws of the society 
best show its situation, a few are here inserted. 

By-Laws. — A committee shall be appointed to examine 
the characters of new comers, and make report of their 
inquiries to the town. All persons coming into the town, 
shall declare their name, and explain their motives. August, 
1636. 

No person in covenant, shall bring his servant with him 
and thereby entitle the servant to lots of land — but the 
servant shall bring testimony of a good cjiaractcr before 
he is permitted to reside here. August, 163G. 

All the waters in town are declared free to all for fish- 
ing. 

The first settlers, if married men, shall have home lots 
of 12 acres, and unmarried men 8 acres. 163G. 

No man having lots in town shall sell them without 
leave of the company. 1636. 



"i4 HISTORY OF DEDHA3I. [chap. irr. 

Absence from town meeting shall be punished by fine, 
one shilling for the first half hour, and three shillings for 
the whole meeting. 1637. 

A long act is made for the establishment of highways, 
1637. 

Every house holder shall provide a ladder for his house, 
under a penalty of five shillings. 1639. 

The officers called wood reeves shall be chosen annually, 
who shall have power to order the burning the herd walks, 
and give orders concerning the same. To give orders for 
cutting wood and timber on the common lands. To cause 
the by-laws respecting ladders to be observed. To col- 
lect the penalties for trespasses on the common lands. 
To view fences, and cause them to be made and repaired. 

A lengthy statute provides for the discovery of mines, 
within the limits of the town. One of its provisions re- 
quire the finder of a mine to make a report thereof as 
soon as may be to the selectmen. Two reports were 
made, one of a copper mine at Wrentham, and another of 
a bright and shining metal, somewhere near a brook in 
Natick. There was then a considerable extent of unex- 
plored territory. It was natural where every thing was 
new, that some heads should be turned on mining projects. 
Who these men were, I do not know. 

Here in the woods at Dedham, a number of strangers met- 
they had come from various places in England, and had 
probably acquired some slight knowledge of each others 
intentions, when they first set out from Watertown, to come 
into this place. There were then no general laws in the 
colony to regulate their various interests, or their common 
enterprizes. It was after the first coming of the first in- 
habitants to this place, that the general court delegated 
powers to the selectmen, to execute according to their 
best discretion, what was afterwards regulated by general 
statutes. They had the common intent of dwelling in the 
town. They formed a civil society, out of its first simple 
elements. They actually did what theorists have con- 
jectured might be done in such a case ; but of which 
they could never exhibit a well authenticated instance. 
The colony government originated in a grant from the 
king. It was the otfspring of royalty. It was a gift. 
The Dedham society originated in a compact, the laws 
derived their force from the consent of the people. It 



CHAF. III.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 35 

was the beginning of the American system of government. 
It is the first rude specimen of a constitution, which I have 
seen, although something similar in substance must have 
taken place in all the early plantations. 

Measures to support public worship. — The first settlers 
not only procured a religious teacher, and built a meeting 
house, and performed every other act necessary for the 
immediate establishment of public worship among them ; 
but as they might well fear that a more corrupt age would 
not be willing to make the necessary exertions for that 
purpose, they therefore laid the foundation for ministerial 
funds. When so much other work was to be done, 
they built a meeting house in 1637. The pitts, (so 
the pews are called in the records) were five feet deep, and 
four and a half feet wide. The elders seat, and the deacons 
seat, were before the pulpit ; the communion table stood 
before these seats, and was so placed that the communi- 
cants could approach it in all directions. This house was 
pulled down in 1672 ; and one much larger erected on the 
scite of the old one. This house had three pair of stairs, in 
three corners of the meeting house. Men were seated in 
the galleries on one side, and women on the other, the 
boys in the front gallery. The duty of a tythingman in 
those days, was arduous, and he received as much pay for 
his services, many years, as the deputy to the general 
court. He was obliged to go on errands for the elders, 
whip the dogs out of the meeting house, and prevent dis- 
order among the boys, who I find whenever they sit to- 
gether have a strong propensity, like the Pretorian bands, 
to mutiny and insubordination. The business of seating 
persons in these two houses, came under the jurisdiction of 
the elders. The greatest tax payer had the best seat. 
This was a subject of some difficulty. 

Method of supporting ministers. — During Mr. Allin's min- 
istry of thirty-two years, the records do not shov.' any rate 
assessed for his support. He depended on voluntary con- 
tributions, and on the liberal free grants from the proprie- 
tors. At his death he was the greatest landholder, (Dea- 
con Chickering excepted) of any in town. All the succes- 
sors of Mr. Allin, had salaries voted them by the town, 
although the salary was paid voluntarily by the people 
without a tax manv years. 



36 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chaf. iii. 

Funds. — When the Dcdham proprietary was divided in- 
to five hundred and twenty-two shares, called cow common 
rights, the proprietors devoted eisht of these shares, to 
the support of a teaching church officer. The shares drew 
dividends whenever they were made of the common lands, 
and remained unsold until after the revolution. Since 
that time, some of these lands have been sold, and the 
proceeds suffered to accumulate until the amount will af- 
ford a good living for one clergymen. These funds now 
belong to the first parish in Dedham. 

School funds 071(1 Schools. — In 1644, the inhabitants de- 
clare their intention to devote some portion of their lands 
to the support of schools, and did then grant lands to trus- 
tees for the purpose of raising a fund, of the annual in- 
come of twenty pounds to support schools, which sr.in 
they determined sliould be the salary of the school master. 
Before the lands granted could be productive, the town 
raised by various ways, the sum of twenty pounds to hire 
a schoolmaster. This regarding the number and situation 
of the inhabitants is by far the greatest eflfort that has been 
made by any of their successors. In 1680, captain Daniel 
Fisher, and ensign Fuller, report that Dr. William Avery, 
now of Boston, but formerly of the Dedham church, out 
of his entire love to this church and town, freely gives in- 
to their hands, sixty pounds /or a latin school, to be order- 
ed by the selectmen and elders. This fund was many 
years in the hands of trustees, but it was either wrongly 
appropriated, or discredited by the operations of bills of 
credit, and there is scarcely a man who knows that such 
a donation was ever made. In 1695, the owners of the 
Dedham proprietary granted to trustees 300 acres of their 
best lands at Need ham, to support schools, to be called 
the school farm. This farm was afterwards sold by order 
of tlie town to defray its ordinary expenses, and a vote 
made to indemnify the agents for so doing. In thirty years 
from this sale, the town instructed a committee to recover 
the school farm, and voted a larger sum to support a law- 
suit for the recovery of it, than the compensation received 
for it. This was not done until a second and third gen- 
eration, badly educated, and unmindful of the great duty 
of instructing themselves had appeared. The first school 
house was built in 1648. The masters salary, until 1695, 
was twenty pounds ; it was then raised to twenty-five 
pounds. 



ru.Kv. rv] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 37 



CHAPTER IV 



Btiilding mills. Corn mills. Water mills. Saw mill. Introtluction of trades. 
Modes of cultivating the lajid. First articles carried to Boston market. Stock 
of cattle. Horses. Swine. Sheep. Wolves. Wildcats. 



Governor Winthrop foresaw that when a small compa- 
ny of men went into the wilderness to begin a plantation, it 
would be many years before they could erect a water mill. 
He therefore gave orders for bringing into the colony, 
those small corn mills which had stones from two to three 
feet diameter, and were turned by hand, and which might 
be easily transported. The stones of two of these corn 
mills are still remaining in town. A corn mill seems to have 
been the appropriate name for this little hand grist mill, 
to distinguish it from the larger grist mill, driven by water, 
which was called a water mill. 

First water mill. — The origin of Mother Brook has alrea- 
dy been described. The chief design of cutting that ca- 
nal, was to create a suitable dam for a water mill, for at 
the same meeting, March 28, 1639, the town granted 
liberty to any one who would undertake it, to build a water 
mill on that stream, vv;ith a lot of land around it. Who 
availed themselves of this grant, does not directly appear. 
In 1641, a foot path is laid out to the mill. Soon after 
the foot path was made, John Dwight and the reverend 
John Allin, conveyed the mill to Nathaniel Whiting. Ho 
and his heirs have possessed that mill privilege until Ben- 
jamin Bussey, Esq. purchased it within a few years. 

In 1664, the town granted a license to Ezra Morse, to 
erect a new corn mill on Mother Brook, above the old one, 
on or near the factory built by the Norfolk cotton factory. 
Tlie mill was erected, but it interfered with the rights of 
Whiting, and a dispute arose which resulted in the abate- 
ment of the new dam. So early did litigation about mill 
privileges commence. Within a few years the conflicting 
claims appurtenant to this mill seat, have been settled by 
a lawsuit. The town has at different times appointed 



3S HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. [chap. iv. 

t^ommittees to lower the water in Charles river. I quote 
a passage from the records relating to this subject, to show 
what our provident forefathers have done for their poste- 
rity. In October, 1686. "Inasmuch as damage did come 
to the town by water lying long on the meadows, we saw 
reason to lower Charles river, but in this extreme drought, 
the town and the millers suffering so much, we see reason 
to allow that we may have a supply of meal, that the river 
about forty rods below the mill channel's mouth, be raised 
to its former height." 

A saw mill was built by Joshua Fisher, on Neponset ri- 
ver, in the year 1664. The town granted him ample pre- 
vileges to encourage that enterprise. It was quite on the 
southern boundary of the present town. The town stipu- 
lated with him for the price of sawing timber. When 
Ezra Morse was driven from Mother Brook, the town 
granted him a mill privilege at the saw mill, with much 
land about it. His thriving posterity now possess that in- 
heritance. 

In 1681, a fulling mill was built on Mother Brook, by 
Draper and Fairbanks. 

Introduction of Mechanics . — The society which has not a 
joiner, a carpenter, a blacksmith, or a shoemaker, must 
necessarily be very deficient in articles of the first neces- 
sity. It was however several years before any of these 
kind of artificers came into the town. The number of 
carpenters, joiners and masons in the colony were so small, 
compared to the demand for their services, that they de- 
manded enormous wages, and were principally employed 
in Boston and near it. It is an obvious fact therefore, 
that the first houses in Dedham were chiefly built without 
them. We may easily perceive in the peculiar situation 
of the town, in its infancy, the reason why every sort of 
mechanical business would be little successful. At Bos- 
ton was the only market for the few productions of the 
land, and there would the inhabitants of course buy to the 
best advantage, the articles most necessary. This cause 
continued to operate until there was a considerable amount 
of circulating medium. Thence Dedham remained for a 
hundred and fifty years, a mere agricultural people, hav- 
ing extremely few inhabitants of other pursuits. 



CHAP. IV.] HISTORY OF DEDHAxAI. 39 

Methods of cultivating the land. — Excepting the home lots, 
all the lands cultivated, were inclosed in common fields. 
The common plough field, of two hundred acres, on the 
village plain, was surrounded by a fence made at common 
charge. The wood reeves decided the number of rods 
of fence to be made by each owner. This field was every 
year to be cleared by the 12th of October, that the cattle 
might be turned into it. There was for many years a 
great deficiency of English grass, which circumstance, in 
some seasons, produced great distress, by means of water 
on the meadows, as in 1649. Wheat continued to be rais- 
ed until the year 1700, but I suppose it was only on newly 
cleared land. Until this time, the people voted by wheat 
and beans on the question of admitting townsmen — wheat 
denoting the affirmative, and beans the negative. Wheat 
before that time was a legal tender in the payment of some 
part of the taxes, and of most of the contracts. 

The practice of burning the cow commons continued 
many years. This must have rendered those lands barren 
in a short time, provided these annual fires had much burn- 
ed the soil. 

I mention the articles carried into the Boston market, in 
the order in which they seem first to have been the subject 
of trade. Pealed oak bark, hoop poles, oak and pine tim- 
ber for building, oak staves, ship timber, charcoal, wood, 
and then vegetables, and carried in panniers. It must 
have been many years before wood for fuel was carried 
to Boston. The bad and circuitous roads did not admit 
much of that article into the market from this town, un- 
til 1780. 

Herds of cattle. — In the summer, the working oxen and 
cows fed on the commons near home. The young cattle, 
either fed in the woods, or on Neponset meadows, in Mr. 
Stoughton's pasture. The horses likewise run in a kind of 
wild state in the woods, and were extremely mischievous, 
although fettered, they frequently broke into the corn- 
fields, and other enclosures, as our by-laws state. The 
horse of those days, was no doubt a small and inferior ani- 
mal compared to the grain fed and improved breed of 
the present time. He felt, in common with the inhabi- 
tants, the want of a more perfect cultivation of the coun- 
try ; he had not even a pasture — he was doomed to live in 



40 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. Ichai-. it, 

the woods, and wear fetters, and submit to a degrading 
slavery, without its usual benefits. Sivine, with great yokes 
on their necks, likewise ran wild in the woods, and lived 
on acorns and roots. When hogs are kept in the woods, 
they soon become wild, and are active animals, very dif- 
ferent from that lazy stupid creature in our sties. Hub- 
bard, the historian, says that "In November, 1677, a great 
black boar came into the town of Dedham, no body knows 
from whence, eight feet in length. He was shot thirteen 
times before he could be killed. Almost the whole town 
was mustered together before he could be mastered.* 

Sheep were not introduced into the town before the year 
1667. They required more care than any other stock. 
They were at first kept in a town flock, as it was called, 
under the care of a shepherd. The wild beasts and nu- 
merous hungry dogs, rendered it necessary to guard them 
carefully. When the sheep were put into the common, 
it seems that additional bounties for killing wolves became 
necessary. These troublesome enemies of a nev/ settle- 
ment, continued to annoy the inhabitants so late as 1698. 
Soon after its first settlement, a bounty of ten shillings 
was offered by the town, for every wolf killed, and this 
bounty was received almost every year, for one to five 
wolves. In 1698, the bounty was increased to ten shil- 
lings more for each wolf, and an unusual number was then 
destroyed, by which means the whole race in tliis wilder- 
ness was annihilated. In 1734, a bounty of twenty shil- 
lings was oflered for each wild cat; fifteen were soon de- 
stroyed, and I hear of no complaints before or after that 
period, of wild cats. So long as these wild beasts lived on 
the borders of the wilderness, so long would many timid 
persons indulge a fear, perhaps a groundless one, that their 
children or their friends might be destroyed by them. Such 
apprehensions they have expressed, by pointing out the 
most dangerous haunts, by the names they have given to 
places, as wolfs den, loolfs pit, wild cat swamp. The famous 
hunters in those days, Sargent Ellis and deacon Ephraim 
Wilson, merited and no doubt enjoyed the reputation of 
being real patriots. 

Hubbanl's Historv, G49. 



rUAP. v.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 41 



CHAPTER V. 



First company, twenty-four. Second company, twelve. Increase in fifty ycais. 
Compendium of the doings and improvements of fifty years. Indian war. 
Cliaractcr of the first generation. Principal men, Edward Allyuo, John Allin, 
Eleazer Lusher, Daniel Fisher, Timothy Dwight. Reflections. 



The first comers to the Massachusetts colony during the 
first five or si.x years, crowded into Boston and a few ad- 
joining towns, particularly into lloxbury and Watertown. 
In Winthrop's journal, under date of April, 1635, it is as- 
serted " Those of Watertown and Roxbury had leave to 
remove whether they pleased in this jurisdiction. The oc- 
casion of their desire to remove was, all the towns in the 
bay began to be much straitened by their own nearness 
to one another, and their cattle being much increased."* 
Then began the inhabitants to form new companies to set- 
tle other places. Several went out of the Watertown hive. 

From that place also, came nearly all the first twenty- 
four persons who settled in this town. This company of 
men seem from their subsequent conduct, to have been a 
portion of that mi.xed population collected at Watertown, 
who possessed good sense and moderate principles, and 
were desirous of forming a peaceable civil society. They 
were puritans, but by no means of high proof. This com- 
pany did in substance at least say to their fellow towns- 
men, whom they were about to leave, " Let there be no 
strife between us and thee, and between thy herdsmen and 
our herdsmen, for we be brethren, if you go to the right 
we will go to the left, for is not the whole country before 
us.?" 

Under date of September 1, 1G35, in Winthrop's journal, 
it is stated, that a town is begun above the falls in Charles 
river. No other place than Dedham could have been in- 
tended. That was the time when the first town meeting 
was held. There were that day twelve persons assembled. 
The next year, November, 1G3G, their numbers had in- 
creased to nineteen ; they had then formed the town cove- 



1 Wimhiop, 160. 



42 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM [chap, r 



nant, and petitioned the general court for an enlargement 
of their former grant for a township. The name of the 
petitioners are Edward Allyne, Abraham Shaw, Samuel 
Morse, Philemon Dalton, Ezekiel Holliman, John Kings- 
bury, John Dwite, John Cooledge, Richard Ewed, John 
Howard, Lambert Genere, Nicholas Phillips, Ralph Shep- 
ard, John Gay, Thomas Bartleet, Francis Austin, John 
Rogers, Joseph Shaw, and Wilkin Bearstowe. Others 
very soon came from Watertown and settled here. 

July, 1637. Came to Dedham John Allin, Eleazer Lush- 
er, and ten other persons, bringing recommendations, and 
were at the same time admitted townsmen. These twelve 
persons gave a more decided character to the whole com- 
pany. The eight persons who formed the Dedham church, 
and who by way of distinction, were called the fovmders 
of it, came in this company, (Edward Allyne excepted.) 
Ezekiel Holliman, before named, obtained leave of the 
town at the same meeting, to sell his lots in town, and I 
do not again see his name on the records. This circum- 
stance confirms the opinion, that this is the same person 
who afterwards was a baptist minister at Providence, and 
attached to Roger Williams. He had been tried for here- 
sy before this time, but he might reasonably have calcula- 
ted to live in peace with the first company in this town, 
but the second he might anticipate would not be so indul- 
gent to his heretical opinions. 

In 1642, the number of persons taxed, was - - 61 
" 1666, " " " " " " - - 95 

" 1676, " " " " " " - - 95 

The war with king Philip, induced some to go to Boston. 
In 1686, the number had increased to - - - 124 
These I believe were all Englishmen, excepting one 
man, who when he was admitted a townsman, was called 
Smith, the Irishman. They came at different times, from 
different parts of England, and were with a few exceptions, 
husbandmen. 

Henry Phillips came to Dedham from Watertown, and 
was solicited to become a candidate for the ministry, he 
chose however to be a candidate in another place, but 
some events prevented his settlement in any town, and he 
became, as our church records say, a discouraged and 
broken hearted christian. Mather inserts his name among 
the ministers, and as a resident of Dedham. I find no 



CHAP, v.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 4S 

man by the name of Phillips, who could be alluded to, 
excepting the Mr. Phillips above mentioned, and who 
had a dispute with the inhabitants about the cow com- 
mons. Thomas Carter was sometime a member ofthe Ded- 
hani church, who was afterwards minister of Woburn. Mi- 
chael Povvel kept the ordinary in Dedham and had several 
lots of land ; one of the little patches of upland in Charles 
meadow was called Powel's island. He was a candidate 
afterwards for the ministry in the second church in Boston.* 
What these men did during the first fifty years, has been 
partly related ; what other things they did and suffered, 
must be stated in a few words. During that time they 
made many miles of new roads, among the great roots and 
fast rocks in the woods ; made two bridges over Charles 
river, and several other bridges ; cut a canal for the chan- 
nel of Mother Brook, cleared off the wood probably of 
2000 acres, and brought a part of it under cultivation -, 
erected mills, built two meeting houses, and two school 
houses, laid a noble foundation for ministerial and school 
funds, and made greater exertions than any of their succes- 
sors to support school masters and ministers. They made 
expensive treaties with the native chiefs for the extinguish- 
ment of their titles ; caused new settlements to be begun 
in three new towns ; and what is of more merit than all 
perhaps, established here a peaceable christian communi- 
ty, exempt from the disputes of other places ; harmoni- 
ous in all their enterprises, and gradually rising on a stable 
foundation. This is a bright page, and it is a faithful one. 
The comparative amount of the things done, is trifling — 
they are principally worthy of notice only as they furnish 
a good illustration of character. 

Indian ivar. — In September, 1G73, the selectmen receiv- 
ed orders from the general court to put the town in a pos- 
ture of war. Then immediately the soldiers are called 
out, and have frequent trainings. A barrel of powder and 
other ammunition is procured, the great gun is put on 
wheels. The new meeting house is made a depository of 
these warlike stores. The people build a garrison, and 
set a watch. The fear excited was great, for many on that 
account fled to Boston. Mr. Adams mentions this circum- 



*Wintliroi>. vol. 2. n. 323, in iiotr 



44 HISTORY OF DEDHA3I. [chap. v. 

stance, as a reason for relinquishing a part of his salary at 
tliat time. Dedham was well situated for defence. The 
town had been huilt in a compact manner, that it might 
be prepared for Indian hostilities. Little river and Charles 
river on the north, would make the savages unwillmg to 
approach in that direction. The plain all around Ded- 
ham, was to a considerable extent cleared and level, and 
overlooked by a person in the belfrey of the new meeting 
house. To this circumstance it may probably be owing, 
that none of the parties of Philip made an assault on th^e 
town. It was no doubt reconnoitered by his spies, and 
had it been unprepared, might have shared the fate of 
Medfield and otiier places. The Indians in town wee 
ordered to depart, and go either to Natick, or Neponset, 
or Wamoset. An enormous war tax was imposed on the 
inhabitants, which exceeded one shilling for every pound 
of valuation of estate. 

In the spring of the year 1 676, the troops of the colonists 
became very enterprising in pursuing and destroying the 
small parties of Indians in various parts of. the country. 
Philip himself, the generalissimo of all the Indian forces, 
was soon discovered and slain at Mount Hope. Captain 
Church, with a company of men, visited the Narraganset 
country, the seat of that tribe, then under the great sa- 
chem, Pomham. But this chief, either having notice of 
captain Church's designs, or justly fearing an attack from 
other colonists, fled into the wilderness. The next infor- 
mation Ave have of Pomham is, that he and his party are in 
the woods near Dedham. Cotton Mather gives the fol- 
lowing account of him. July 25, 1678, thirty-six English- 
men, from Dedham and Medfield, with ninety christian In- 
dians, pursued, overtook and captured fifty Indians without 
losing a man. Among these was Pomham, a great sachem 
of the Narragansets, who after he was wounded so that 
ho could not stand, but was left for dead, the (lying beast 
with helluinc rage^ got such hold of an Englishman, who 
came up to him, that he had killed him unless he had had 
assistance.* What design brought Pomham so near Ded- 
ham at this time, cannot even be conjectured ; perhaps he 
had no rational motive, for the Indians as soon as their 
own country was attacked, seem to have lost their under- 

* Masriialia, 2 vol. 497. 



CHAP, v.] HISTORY OF DEDHAH. 45 

Standings, and were so amazed that they wandered in the 
woods careless of the fate which awaited them, and were 
destroyed without making much opposition. 

Character of the first generation.— Dedhmm plantation 
during many years, was a'little community governed prin- 
cipally by its own laws, and having little connexion with 
other people. They were a company selected from the 
first emigrants into Massachusetts. As moderate puritans, 
they were inclined to go southward towards a country, 
where Mr. Blackstone and R.oger Williams were compcl- 
ed lo flee from intolerance. The excellent men in the 
plantation, would naturally attract to it persons of a simi- 
lar character. It was no place for a wrong head or a big- 
ot, or an enthusiast. It was no place for a display of any 
kind. A peaceable loving civil society was the great ob- 
ject of the people. They were willing to keep aloof from 
the nice questions involved in the antinomian and other 
theological controversies. In this respect they exhibited a 
contrast with some other settlements. They at first assert- 
ed the rights of conscience, and in no instance which I 
can discover, attempted to violate that right in others. 
The preface to the church records fully asserts the doc- 
trine of religious liberty, as it is now understood. It 
modestly states '• That the proceedings herein set down 
may be of some use in after times: no way intending here- 
by to bind the conscience of any to walk by this pattern, 
any farther than it may appear to be agreeable to the rule 
of the gospel." When the church was about to be organ- 
ized, governor Winthrop sent word to Mr. Allin, that it 
must not be done without the approbation of the magis- 
trates. This excited alarm, lest this claim of jurisdiction 
by the civil rulers, " should be prejudicial to God's peo- 
ple ; and some seeds of usurpation upon the liberties of 
the gospel." I cannot find any evidence that any inhabi- 
tant in this town was ever deluded with the notions 
and errors of some of the first inhabitants settled in Bos- 
ton and in Essex county. Mr. Norton's book, and the ge- 
neral court's proclamations against the quakers, were sent 
to Dedham, but there the matter ended. 

The <rrand jury in 1G75, threatened to prosecute the se- 
lectmen if they did not cause the law against excess in ap- 
parel to be observed. I cannot discover that afterwards 



46 HISTORY OF DEDHAM'. [chap, v. 

silk hoods and ribbons, were stripped from the heads of the 
\vomen< or that great boots were prosecuted as that law 
required. The language first spoken in the town, was that 
of republicans. Church and commonwealth, rights of the 
colony, freemen and the rights of freemen, are words fre- 
quently seen in the records. The phrases, loyalty, subject, 
your majesty, and your majesty's pleasure, are not used, ex- 
cept for the purpose of showing dislike to the things there- 
by expressed. The first time I notice the word majesty, in 
the records, it is used to record this unanimous opinion of 
the inhabitants. " This day, January 30, 1683, it was put 
to vote of the freemen and other inhabitants, whether they 
did desire the governor and company would defend their 
characters and privileges, so far as they can. Voted, by 
all, in the affirmative. It being put to them, whether they 
are vv'illing to make a full submission and entire resigna- 
tion to his majesty's pleasure. Voted, by all, in the nega- 
tive." 

These expressions of opinion of the inhabitants, were 
caused by the proposition made to this and all other towns 
in the colony, at this time by the general court, thus to de- 
clare it. The ministers of king James the second, had de- 
manded a surrender of the charter ; and the general court 
was desirous of being supported in their refusal of that de- 
mand, by these town meeting resolves. The town we 
may believe was very strong in these resolutions ; since 
their deputy, captain Daniel Fisher, acted a conspicuous 
part in the struggles to maintain the charter, and did no 
doubt animate his constituents with the same spirit for 
which he was much distinguished. Here in the very ori- 
gin of the town, a strong predilection for republican go- 
vernment was manifest ; and we shall see as we proceed 
that every succeeding event and revolution, contributed 
to strengthen it. In this particular, Dedham did not differ 
from the other towns. These traits in the character of its 
people, are worthy of notice, principally because they are 
a pretty good example to show the origin and progress of 
public opinions in relation to the principles of government. 

In Mr. Savage's list of freemen who had been admit- 
ted previous to the year 1647, which list is in the appen- 
dix to the second volume of Winthrop's journal, I count 
the names of fifty men who had been admitted townsmen 
of Dedham. A list of these fifty I will insert in the tenth 



cHAr. v.] HISTORY OF DEDHAi\r. 47 

chapter. The number of non-freemen who Jiad become 
inhabitants of the town before that time, was nearly the 
same. Several of the non-freemen were appointed to of- 
fices in the town. John Fairbanks is an instance ; he 
could not become a freeman because he could not con- 
scientiously make a public profession of faith in the man- 
ner required of him by the church. 

Among the other usual titles added to the names of men 
in these early days, the records show that sir, was the 
school master's title. Sir Metcalf, Sir Woodward, and Sir 
Dwight. These titles were applied to those school mas- 
ters only, who were employed the whole year, and were so 
by profession. If it was intended to make the very useful 
and honorable employment of school master, a stepping 
stone to a species of knighthood, should we smile at it t 
Our modern addition of /tonora6/^, which is connected with 
so many degrees of dignity and variety of employment, 
cannot be better supported on the ground of reason alone. 
The scrupulous attention to titles, civil and military, even 
down to that of sergeant, in our records, may excite some 
attention. Yet even when this regard to titles was great- 
est, I do not find so many persons dignified with the name 
of mister, as are now in the town entitled to the addition of 
honorable. 

However diflferent might be the characters of the first 
settlers, when they were collected into a society here, 
united by mutual wants and common pursuits, the prevail- 
ing traits of their character would soon predominate, and 
the leading men would in such a state of things as then 
existed, communicate a large share of their own character 
to the rest of the community. It becomes proper therefore 
to give a short account of their lives and characters. 

Edward AUyne was the principal man in the first com- 
pany who came from Watertown. He wrote the first re- 
cords. The town covenant was probably the work of his 
hands. He was not admitted into the Dedham church with- 
out difliculty and objections to his conduct in England. 
But these objections were removed as soon as he could pro- 
cure evidence from England. It appears that Mr. AUyne 
intended to begin a settlement at Med field, for he procur- 
ed a grant of a considerable tract of land there, but before 
that plantation was begun, he died at Boston, 1642. 

Reverend John Allin, (so spelled by him) came to Dcd- 



48 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. L<^hap. v, 

Jiam in July, 1637, and immediately began to direct those 
proceedings, which laid the foundation of the church. He 
came here, as his records express it, in expectation of em- 
ployment in public work. He had received a liberal edu- 
cation in England, but had not been ordained. The his- 
tory of his life may be collected from his records, which 
with great minuteness, describe the measures adopted in 
organising the church, and which unfold his own and the 
character of his brethren. It required great prudence 
and skill to gather a church on his principles. He requir- 
ed a strict scrutiny into the actions and religious affections 
of each candidate before admission, even in those cases 
where the candidate was a member of another church. 
This work he however accomplished in a peaceable man- 
ner, and governed his church with increasing reputation, 
thirty-two years. Governor Winthrop says, that this 
church was gathered with good approbation.* When 
some disputes arose in the colony, respecting the nature 
of its relations to the English government, and the affair 
was referred to the ruling elders for advice, Mr. Allin was 
chosen the chairman of that body, to deliver their opinion. 
This he did in writing, and his report is published in Win- 
throp's journal. f When the synod met at Cambridge, by 
adjournment, on the 1 5th day of September, 1648, for the 
purpose of forming a system of church government, Mr. 
Allin was appointed to preach to that assembly. He 
preached from the 15th chapter of Acts. Mr. Savage in a 
note to Winthrop's text, conjectures that he would insist 
on the doctrines of the lOth and 11th verses. "Now 
therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke on the necks 
of his disciples, which neither our fathers nor we are able 
to bear .^ We believe that through the grace of our 
Lord Jesus, we shall be saved even as they." The con- 
jecture is supported by the fact, that these passages well 
express Mr. AUin's opinions in relation to the government 
of the church. This is governor Winthrop's account of 
the sermon. That it was a very godly, learned and par- 
ticular handling of near all the doctrines concerning that 
subject, with a clear discovery and refutation of such er- 
rors, objections and scruples as had been raised about it, 

* Winthrop's Journal, vol. 1, 275. 
t Winthrop's Journal, vol. 2, 282. 



CHAP, v.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 49 

by some young heads in the country.* In the midst of 
this sermon there came a snake in among the elders, sit- 
ting behind the preacher. Many of them shrunk away 
from it ; but Mr. Thompson, a minister full of the iiiith, 
trod on his head and killed it. Thus manifesting the de- 
signs of Providence. The snake representing the devil, is 
crushed by the synod, the representatives of the churches. 
Mr. Allin published a book with the title, A ilcfe.ncc of 
the nine positions. This book was highly commended by 
Mr. Cotton, the famous minister of Boston. That he shoukl 
be employed on such occasions, and be praised by such 
judges, is evidence that he was a man of no ordinary merit. 
His own brethren and townsmen seem to have been great- 
ly attached to him. They made him liberal donations, 
and after his death published two of his last sermons. The 
history of his life will appear from his church records. He 
was a man of sweet temper, and as Cotton Mather expres- 
ses it, of a genteel spirit, a diligent student, of competent 
learning, a humble man and sincere christian. Mather 
proposes his epitaph. 

Vir sincerus, amans pacis, paliensque labonim,. 
Perspicuous, simpiex, doctriuae purus amator.t 

Dr. Cotton Mather had sufficient room in his Magnalia, 
and he might have collected ample materials for writing 
Mr. Allin's biography, but the sketch of his life in tliat 
book, is a wordy nothing. Mr. Allin died August 2G, 1671. 

Major Eleazer Lusher — came to Dedham with Mr. Allin, 
and maintains an eminent rank among the founders of the 
town. He was the leading man all liis lifetime, and di- 
rected all the most important affairs of the town. The 
full and perfect records which he kept, the proper style of 
his writings, above all the peace and success of the plan- 
tation, which liad the wisdom to employ him, are good evi- 
dences of his merit, and that his education had been supe- 
rior to all other men in the town, (Mr. Allin excepted.) 

He was a deputy to the general court many years, and 
was an influential and useful member of that body. 

When Charles the second was restored to the English 
throne, great fears began to be entertained in the colonv, 

* Wiulhrop, vol. 2, 330. 
f Mag-nalia,. vol. 1, p. Ilfi. 



oO IIIS'J'ORY OF DEDHA.U [chap. v. 

that Its charter and liberties might be violated by the new 
administration. In 1G60, a large committee was appointed 
by the general court to sit in Boston, to consider the per- 
ilous state of affairs then existing, and advise the general 
court in the measures to be adopted. Major Lusher was 
one of that committee.* 

In 1666, the king's commissioners had excited discontent 
in New Hampshire and Maine against this colony. The 
general court appointed major Lusher one of three com- 
missioners, to repair thither to allay the discontent, which 
duty was executed with success. 

In 1662, he was appointed an assistant ; how many years 
he continued in that office I have not learned. 

The following saying was repeated frequently, by the 
generation which immediately succeeded Mr. Lusher. 

" Wlien Lusher was in office, all things went well, 
But how they go since, it shames us to tell." 

His death is noticed in the church records, as it is quo- 
ted in Mr. Dexter's century sermon. "Major Eleazer Lush- 
er, a man sound in the faith, of great holiness and heaven- 
ly mindcdness, who was of the first foundation of this 
church, and had been of great use (as in the common- 
vv'ealth, so in the church,) especially after the death of ihe 
reverend pastor thereof, Mr. John Allin, departed this life 
November 13, 1672." 

His eulogium in the wonder working Providence is, that 
he was a nimble footed captain, a man of the right stamp, 
and full lor the country. 

Captain Daniel Fisher — was admitted into the Dedhani 
church in 1639, the record of which is in these words, 
" Daniel Fisher appeared to the church a hopeful chris- 
tian young man, and was easily and gladly received." 
From that time to his death, in November, 16S3, he was 
much employed in public business, in the several ofHces of 
deputy to the general court, speaker of that assembly, and 
assistant, in which office he died. He was emjdoyed in 
much of the business in the plantation. In his time, the 
notable tyranny of sir Edmund Andros, the governor of 
the colony, had less plausible pretexts, than those meas- 
ures which produced the war of separation. In its then 

* Hutcliiusou's history, vol. 1. p. I'JG. 



CHAP, v.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 51 

feeble state, it was more insulting to oppress, and it was 
more dangerous to resist. But danger would not deter a 
brave man and a patriot like captain Fisher, from doing 
his duty. 

In February,^ 1681, Randolph, the agent of king James 
in the colony, exhibited articles of high misdemeanor 
against a foction, (so called by Randolph,) in the general 
court, to the lords in council. Among these men thus se- 
lected to be the victims of royal indignation, was captain 
Fisher. 

June 14, 1682, Randolph wrote to the earl of Clarendon, 
that a quo imirranto had issued against the colony charter, 
and that a warrant had been sent out to carry Thomas 
Danforth, Samuel Nowell, Daniel Fisher, and Elisha Cook, 
to England, to answer for high crimes and misdemeanors, 
and intimates, that the prosecution which his papers and 
evidence would support, would make their faction trem- 
ble.* 

Captain Fisher was speaker of the house at this time, 
and was, we must believe, a man of great influence there- 
in, otherwise he would not have been so much noticed at 
the British court. Indeed in such a time, his hitjh spirit 
and resolute mind, would not permit him to be a timid and 
wavering man. He lived not to witness the capture of sir 
Edmund Andros and the other associates of his tyranny, at 
Fort Hill, in April, 1689, and an end put to their oppres- 
sions by that event. But it must be remembered, that he 
contributed much to cherish that firm spirit of resistance, 
which produced that change, and which early taught what 
a brave and united people might do. Many of the de- 
scendants of this gentleman have been respectable, and 
have inherited his high and patriotic spirit. I relate one 
anecdote, which illustrates the character of this family, 
and the spirit of the times. It was told me by the honor- 
able Ebenezer Fisher, of this town, late one of the coun- 
cil, a descendant of captain Fisher. When sir Edmund 
was captured on Fort Hill, by the Bostonians, he surren- 
dered, and went unarmed to Mr. Usher's house, where he 
remained under guard for some hours. When the news of 
this event reached Dedham, captain Daniel Fisher, the son 
of the proscribed patriot then dead, a stout strong man. 



Hutchinson'« history, vol. 1, p. 303. 



62 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. v. 

possessing his father's hatred of the tyrant, and his reso- 
lute spirit, instantly set out for Boston, and came rushing 
in with the country people, who were in such a rage and 
heat us made all tremble again. Nothing would satisfy 
the country party but binding the governoj with cords, and 
carrying him to a more safe place. Soon was captain Fish- 
er seen among the crowd, leading the pale and trembling 
sir Edmund by the collar of his coat, from the house of 
Mr. Usher, back to Fort Hill. History has informed us of 
this incident, in that revolution, but it has never informed 
us who took the lead of the country people, and who had 
the honor of leading tlie proud representative of a Stuart 
prince, the oppressor of the colony, through the assembled 
crowd, and placing him in safe custody at the fort. 

The gentleman here noticed, was likewise much employ- 
ed in the various atl'airs of the town. Did any enterprise 
require a hardy and skilful agent, he was the man most 
likely to be selected. In 1663, he was selected to go with 
John Fairbanks through the wilderness in search of a 
tract of good land, which a vague rumour had hinted was 
about twelve miles from Hadley. He had the honor of be- 
ing sent ambassador to king Philip, to negociate a treaty 
for his lands at Wrentham. Mr. Dexter, in his century 
sermon, says he was learned in the law. 

Captain Timothy Dwight — was a child when his father 
brought him to Dedham, in 1635. He was admitted into 
the church in 1652. He was the town recorder, select- 
man, an agent in much town business during the lives of 
Lusher and Fisher, He was also after their decease, a de- 
puty to the general court. He was a faithful and upright 
man, and greatly esteemed for his personal merit, and for 
his public services. His character is given in the church 
records, which state " that he was a gentleman truly seri- 
ous and godly, one of an excellent spirit, peaceable, gene- 
rous, charitable, and a promoter of the true interests of the 
church and town." He died, January 31, 1717. Among 
the posterity of this gentlemen, are now many respectable 
families in New England. The late Timothy Dwight, form- 
erly the much respected president of the college at New 
Haven, was one of his descendants. He had six wives, and 
the last was buried on the same day with himself. 



PHAP. v.l HISTORY OF DEDHAW. 53 

Of the other excellent men of this time, of elder Hunting, 
of deacon Chickering, of Anthony Fisher, and others, per- 
haps of equal merit, nothing can now be added. It would 
be an act of great injustice to the character of the inhabi- 
tants, to withhold from them the just praise of willingly 
and promptly executing all the useful enterprises of the 
first half century. The merit of suffering, and acting, for 
the common interest, was that of the whole, and not of 
a few men. The inhabitants had the wisdom to appoint 
able and upright public agents, and then support them un- 
der circumstances of great difficulty. 

Historians and antiquaries in New England have been di- 
ligent to collect a full account of what are now considered 
the follies and errors of the first settlers in Massachusetts. 
The victims of their intolerance have had their just com- 
plaints made known. The several disorders which exist- 
ed in many of the early plantations, are minutely describ- 
ed. The foolery about women wearing veils, the officious 
interference of the ruling elders in matters which did not 
belong to them, and the delusions of witchcraft, have been 
particularly described, and often published. Many of the 
least useful men among the magistrates and elders, have 
made the greatest figure in the early history of the state. 
This is all well, so far ; it is not to be regretted by any 
means, that we have so full a history of these things. But 
I am apt to believe that our early history, as it is now be- 
fore us, does injustice to the whole colony. The spots 
and blemishes we may admit, are all described by a faith- 
ful hand, but the bright and the beautiful parts of the 
scene, are not fully exhibited to our view. Here for in- 
stance, is a little company settled in the woods of Dedham, 
guided by their good common sense, with tolerant princi- 
ples in religion, superior to that of the age, peaceable, or- 
derly and industrious. Their principle men of the same 
character, not ambitious to make a display on a public 
stage ; yet they are not known, they would naturally be 
overlooked, for crimes and follies constitute a great part of 
all histories. The success and good character of the Ded- 
iiam plantation, afford no materials for a good story, while 
the disorders among the militia at Hingham, the church 
quarrel at Weymouth, the riots at Mount Woolaston, make 
those places somewhat famous. That inquisitor. Weld, 
the minister of Roxbury, as he has been justly styled, who 



04 HISTORY OF DEDHAJW. Lchap. v. 

was SO forward to prosecute Mrs. Hutchinson for heresy, 
is quite an important personage, although he was only a 
few years in the colony. John Allin, who if we may be- 
lieve the best judges among his cotemporaries, was a man 
of great worth, is so little known, that Cotton Mather, his 
professed biographer, regrets that he scarcely knows any 
thing about him. 



CHAP, vi.l HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Annals of the town from 1CS6, to 1736. Parishes begin to be settled. Vacancy in 
the ministry eight years. Town indicted for not keeping a grainniai scliool. In- 
habitants and proprietors of Dedliam become distinct bodies. Sherburne dividend. 
Three sets of town officers chosen one 3'ear. Schools badly supported. Law 
against new comers. Bills of credit. Disputed elections. School farm. Tyot, 
or second parish, incorporated. Clapboardtrecs, or third parish, incorporated. 
Census. Review of the last fifty years. 



1G82. A VOTE was passed that no one of the inhabi- 
tants should remove to a greater distance than two miles 
from the meeting house, without special license, as any 
person so removing, would expose himself, in time of dan- 
ger, and to the want of town government. 

Soon after this time, most of the small houses, first built 
in the village, being decayed, the inhabitants abandoned 
them, and their small home lots, and settled on larger 
tracts of land, within the town. In about fifty years from 
the commencement of these settlements out of the village, 
it became necessary to establish three new parishes. Tyot, 
Clapboardtrees, and Springfield, since incorporated into a 
town, by the name of Dover. 

In August, 1GS5, began a vacancy in the ministry, and 
continued until November, 1693, during wjiich time, the 
town was in a low and divided state. During this time 
the inhabitants elected four candidates into the ministeri- 
al office, viz : Mr. Samuel Lee, Mr. VVillard, of Boston, 
Mr. Jonathan Pierpont, and Mr. Nathaniel Clap. Mr. 
Pierpont's answer, negativing his call, strongly insinuates 
that the state of things here was bad. " When," says he, 
" God invites laborers into his vineyard, it does not become 
them to say ^ I won^t come,'' but will you not permit me to 
say in this case, I dare not come.''^ 

1691. The town is indicted for not supporting a school. 
It had been before indicted in 1674. The pressure of the 
Indian war was then a good excuse, if e.vcu.se can be given 
for neglecting so important an institution. The select- 
men report that the lands near Mendon and Wrentham, 
now Bellingham, arc not worth laying out for a dividend; 



5G HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [tHAr. vj. 

March 4, 1(594. The inhabitants of the town have a 
town meeting, and adjourn. Then the proprietors of Ded- 
ham immediately hold another distinct meeting in the same 
place. This is the first actual separation of the two bodies 
which I notice in the records. 

1695. The proprietors vote to lay out the lands within 
the town bounds, on the northerly side of Sherburne road, 
to the lower falls, which lands are in Sherburne. In 1698, 
3400 acres were accordingly laid out, and assigned to 
those who could then show their rights therein. 

March, 1698. Voted to give a bounty of ten shillings 
addition to the present bounty of twenty shillings, to any 
person, for each full grown wolf by him killed. A con- 
siderable number of bounties, provided for by this vote, 
are soon received. 

1700. Voted to raise thirty pounds to repair the meet- 
ing house, half to be paid in wheat, at five shillings per 
bushel, RYE at four, and corn at two shillings, and a day's 
work at two shillings. 

1701 . The great causeway on the bank of Charles river 
is begun and soon finished. 

1702. Voted that the law of the town, forbidding any 
person, not an inhabitant, to purchase land in the town, 
and forbidding townsmen to sell to new comers, is in force, 
and that means be used to get it approved by the general 
court. 

1702. Voted to repair the meeting house, and that short 
pews be made by the pulpit stairs, where the boys shall be 
seated. 

March 6, 1703. A town meeting is held all day, and do 
no business but adjourn to March 13, Then the adjourn- 
ed meeting cannot succeed in doing business, and adjourns 
to March 17. A set of town officers is then chosen. A 
new meeting is called on the 27th, when another set of 
town officers is chosen. On the 17th of April, a third set 
of town officers is chosen by order of the court of sessions. 

1705. Mr. Belcher acknowledges on the town book, 
that sundry persons, who had promised him at his ordina- 
tion, to make such addition to his voted salary of sixty 
pounds, equal to one hundred, had honorably performed 
their engagement. 

November 27, 1711. Forty persons residing in that part 
of the town now called Needhara, ask leave to be set ofl' 



CHAP. VI. J HISTORY OF DEDHAM 57 

into a townsiiip, allcoring as a reason therefor, that they 
could not enjoy advantages for schooHng and religious in- 
struction, and that being a minor part of the town, they did 
not enjoy equal rights in other respects. Dedham at first 
opposed the separation, but at last consented to it, on the 
condition that the petitioners should be confined to less 
territory than was demanded. The legislature however 
granted the full prayer of the petitioners, as to territory, 
against the limitation of Dedham. 

1715. The town granted fifteen pounds for schooling. 
This sum had been granted several years before this time, 
and was afterwards voted. This amount in the deprecia- 
ted currency of this time, must have come far short of an 
adequate support of schools, [ndeed the bad writing, the 
bad spelling in the records, the disorders in the toun meet- 
ings, the quarrels in the church, fully denote the want of 
sufficient education of the people at this time. 

1718. The town vote that any inhabitant who shall 
either leave or sell houses or lands to strangers, without 
first obtaining leave of the selectmen, or shall entertain 
them, without leave, shall forfeit twenty shillings for every 
month the unlicensed stranger shall remain in town. And 
every person residing here contrary to this provision, shall 
pay the like sum of twenty shillings. 

May, 1719. Bellingham is set off' from Dedham. 

1720. The province taxes are called amntnj taxes in tlie 
assessments until this time. The name provincial, might 
be odious, and on that account not used. 

1721. The town being notified that its share of the fif- 
ty thousand pounds of bills of credit, was ready to be de- 
livered, vote to accept it, and thereupon make a number 
of by-laws for regulating the loans to townsmen. I con- 
clude from the frequent attention of the town to this sub- 
ject, from the number of meetings, and some disputes, it 
found itself a very badly organised body to become a bank- 
ing institution. 

January, 1722. The small pox is in town, and the in- 
habitants have public worship in a private house for ft>ar 
of the contagion. 

The inhabitants in the south part of the town pray to be 
set off' into a town, or precinct. Those in the west part 
present a similar petition. Neither of them are aj)proved 
by the town at this time. 
S 



^^ HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. vr. 

April, 1723. Five of the principal inhabitants are di- 
rected to endeavor to hire a coach to bring the body of the 
reverend Joseph Belcher, who died at Roxbury, into Ded- 
hani, and forty pounds are voted to defray the expenses of 
nis funeral. ^ 

1724. Voted to give Jarvis Pike twenty shillings for 
keepjng the boys in order at the pulpit stairs. Walpole is 
set oft from Dedham. 

u }J?u' ■^''^^'^ ^^^^^ ^^'^ grammar school shall be kept 
half the tune near the meeting house, and half the time in 
other places appointed by the selectmen. 

1726. The town voted this year to unite with other 
towns to form a new county. The same vote was again 
passed m 1731, and 1734. 

1727 March 4. A town meeting is held all day, a 
town clerk and first selectman only were chosen : adjourn- 
ed to next day. Then a debate arose about the qualifica- 
tion of voters; two more selectmen were then chosen. 
1 he meeting then adjourned to the 7th of March. On 
the third day of this meeting the town voted to have a new 
annual meeting on the fourth day of April. On this last 
day, a new set of town officers are chosen. To this last 
election there is a formal protest entered on the town books 
by many of the inhabitants. 

September 22, 1728. The town vote that if some in- 
habitants in Stoughton will unite with those in the south 
part of the town, in a petition to be made a parish, it will 
consent thereto. 

November, 1730. The second parish is incorporated. 
March, 1729. The town vote to raise forty pounds by 
tax, for the purpose of contributing to the support of an 
agent in Britain. This measure had become necessary in 
consequence of the governor's refusal to sign the law for 
taking a sufficient sum from the province treasury. The 
vote sufficiently denotes the party which the town support- 
ted in the contests with governor Shute and Burnet, in re- 
lation to the matters concerned in that agency. 

September, 1735. The town authorises a committee to 
commence a law suit for the recovery of the school farm, 
in ^eedham, of three hundred acres, and vote thirty pounds 
to support the suit. This land had been given to support 
schools, by the original proprietors of the town. A sub- 
sequent generation, having less regard for education, or- 



CHAP. VI.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 59 

dered the land to be sold to pay the ordinary expenses, 
and promised the agents indemnity for making the sale. 

11 36. The Clapboardtrees parish, or third parish, is in- 
corporated. 

The number of persons in town taxed this year, is 259 

In the first parish, - -- - 129 

" " second ----------- 78 

" '• third ----------- 52 

During the last fifty years, the inhabitants must have 
endured great hardships, and enjoyed few of the comforts 
of life, now within the reach of their posterity. They 
were continually employed in clearing and subduing their 
lands, planting orchards, making roads, building fences 
and houses. In their situation, they derived only a bare 
subsistence from the fruits of their labor. The remainder 
went to enrich posterity. They were nearly all husband- 
men ; they had in the last fifty years extended their settle- 
ments six or seven miles from the village, which was now 
abandoned except by a few farmers. For all these peo- 
ple, amounting to about fifteen hundred souls, there was 
only one minister, and one school master, employed only 
a few weeks in one place. The people therefore must have 
been very imperfectly instructed. There was here in this 
period, one physician, a few mechanics, no traders, no ar- 
tists or manufacturers. The strong and steady love of re- 
ligious and civil liberty, which distinguished their ances- 
tors, had now become a mere blind passion ; it had no ob- 
jects abroad to concentrate and excite its force. It was 
not elevated by any high motive, for the quarrels with the 
royal governors, after the charter was vacated, could not 
much interest the people. There were no such men as 
Lusher and Fisher to direct and controul popuhir opinion. 
The love of liberty therefore began to prey on itself, 
and there is much evidence that society was then disturb- 
ed by rough and uncivil manners, by high, hard and op- 
probious epithets frequently bestowed. 

The people seem to have had a strong dislike to the in- 
troduction of new comers into tlie town. The reason of it 
is obvious, they might be expensive, and what was a much 
greater objection, they might occupy the places wanted for 
their sons, who might thereby be obliged to emigrate into 
another wilderness. And possibly they might feel that the 
descendants of such a pure stock as they could boast of. 



60 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. tt. 

would be in some danger of pollution by the free introduc- 
tion of strangers. Hence the inhabitants remained an un- 
mixed race, little affected by intermarriages or emigration, 
and unimproved by intercourse with other people. From an 
inspection of the assessors' books in 1736, I recognize the 
numerous descendants of some of the first settlers, with an 
extremely small number of new names. The Colburns, 
the Gays, the Ellises, the Farringtons, the Fishers, the 
Guilds, the Metcalfs, the Richards, and the Whitings, de- 
scendants of men of these names, had branched out into 
families from eight to fifteen in number, and did then con- 
stitute a considerable portion of the inhabitants. 

Some of the little blemishes on the character of this 
generation, have been noticed. These were occasioned 
by the shades of the wilderness ; it would be great injus- 
tice not to state the circumstances which in some degree 
excuse or palliate them. They yielded to the influence 
of their peculiarly hard situation. The generations of an 
hundred years had made great impressions on the wilder- 
ness, on the hard and stony ground, and on the swamps 
and meadows, and these in turn must have made a slight 
impression on the character of the inhabitants. But let us 
remember that they had substantial virtues. They were hard 
workers, frugal, temperate, and essentially upright. They 
were religious, somewhat too rigid it may be confessed for 
our taste. Upon the whole, they performed well the part 
assigned them by Providence. Every new country in its 
progress to more perfect civilization, presents similar traits 
of character in its inhabitants, although seldom so good in 
a moral view. Their rough unpolislied manners attract 
more notice than their useful actions. They were far from 
being accomplished gentlemen, but in the work of build- 
ing up a great state from a small colony, they had very 
efficient and able hands. The men of which we speak, 
possessed not the reputation of those who achieved our in- 
dependence, but they did that which was necessary to ac- 
complish that great enterprise. They cleared the country, 
they laid strong the foundation of civil society. If men 
like these had not struck many hard blows on the wilder- 
ness, their successors could not have given the British ar- 
mies so many hard knocks in after times. If a frugal fa- 
ther, by hard labor, acquire the sum necessary to build an 
elegant dwelling house, I protest against the injustice of 



CHAP, vi] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 61 

attributing all the praise to the son, who does nothing 
more than direct the workmen. It is by such reflections 
as these, that we are led to do justice to the men of a hun- 
dred years past. Here, before my eyes, while I am now 
writing, the workmen are raising the pillars to an elegant 
stone court house for the county of Norfolk. Here again 
must the above reflection guide us, in determining the pro- 
portion of praise that should be awarded to each contribu- 
tor of that edifice. It is not the magistrate who orders it 
done, nor the architect who furnishes the plan, nor the 
workmen who smooth the pillars and place thereon the 
capitals, who should alone be praised ; but the men like- 
wise of the present and past generations, who have com- 
pleted a more magnificent work, that of changing the wil- 
derness into these cultivated towns around us, of erecting 
therein so many comfortable and elegant dwelling houses 
and villas, and bringing to such maturity a prosperous so- 
ciety. So that a court house of a Grecian model, with its 
doric pillars, is an appropriate ornament. So that this 
community, with far less efforts than those made by them, 
can now build elegant dwellings, and erect handsome 
public buildings, and establish large manufacturing insti- 
tutions. The men too of that age, were all of the productive 
class, or nearly so; they transmitted to their posterity the 
benefit of a good example in industry and economy. There 
were hardly any jiaupers in those days, and those that were 
such, had the excuse of inevitable misfortune, and were 
frequently relieved by the charitable contribution in the 
church or in town meetings. There was then no need of a 
poor house or house of correction, to employ the idle and 
restrain the vicious. 

The first settlers in this town we have seen, required a 
strict scrutiny into every man's character, who was propo- 
sed for admission into the town. When a new comer first 
appeared, a committee appointed for that purpose, inquired 
of him his motives for being here ; and if the stranger 
answered, that it was for the purpose of settlement, then 
these questions were in some form put to him. Who are 
you, sir.^ where did you come from ^ What worldly sub- 
stance have you ? Do you approve our church govern- 
ment ^ Can you assure us that you will not become a 
public charge to our plantation ? The church was still 
more critical in its examination of the candidates proposed 



62 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. ri. 

for admission. A mere worldly reputation for honesty and 
sobriety of life, did not satisfy the brethren, but he was 
required to explain his moral feelings, his religious affec- 
tions, and his opinions on christian doctrines. Where a 
stranger would seldom appear, as was the case in all the 
inland towns, especially at Dedham, this strict inquisition 
would be made. What was done by the honored fathers 
of the town, what was done by the reverend elders, agreea- 
bly to the policy and maxims of these bodies, would, we 
may suppose, be done by every man, woman and child in 
the plantation, because that duty was in fact enjoined by 
the by-laws and policy of the society. 

I have described what actually was done at an early 
period in the Dedham-plantation, in relation to this sub 
ject. We have seen that it continued long to exercise 
great jealousy of new comers, and in fact to possess great 
aversion to them. May we not suppose, nay are we not 
directly informed, that other inland towns of early date 
were like that of Dedham in this respect ? Large commer- 
cial towns could not long adhere to this inquisitorial 
policy, because the constant influx and departure of stran- 
gers, the frequent intercourse with the whole country, and 
the varied pursuits of its inhabitants, some requiring only 
a temporary residence, would render it impracticable. 
The old law so long in force, authorizing towns to warn 
out those persons who had not acquired a legal settlement, 
grew out of this jealousy of strangers, and in its operation 
continued to strengthen it. Here we trace the origin of 
that peculiar trait in the New England character, that of 
im.peiiinent curiosity, so universally observed by our own 
countrymen and foreigners. It grew out of the attempt to 
establish a pure church, and a pure commonwealth. What 
is now impertinent curiosity was in the days of governor 
Winthrop a necessary inquiry, dictated by policy, and de- 
manded by established opinions of church government. 
Many emigrants have in every period of its existence gone 
from Dedham into all lands, few have moved into it. But 
when the new comers first appear at the present time, the 
old feeling is excited in the breasts of some of the old 
standards ; what sent the adventurer here ! ! The current 
of emigration should carry him into the western wilder- 
ness ! All the places here are wanted for the natives ! If 
iuch sentiments are now indulged they will soon entirely 



CHAP. VI. ] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 63 

cease to exist. Dedham by its situation possesses many 
advantages for various employments. The skill and capi- 
tal which it forcibly draws hither is viewed with delight 
by every enlightened mind ; and that skilful artist or that 
man of capital who here, appropriates the one and exerts 
the other, to increase employment, are real benefactors. 
And when it is fully perceived, as it must be, that the town 
derives great advantage from the various kinds of new 
comers, no unfavorable distinction between native and 
emigrant will exist. 



C4 HISTORY OF DEDHA3r. [chap. vii. 



CHAPTER VII. 



An account of events from 1736 to the close of the revolutionary war. Neponset 
river becomes the east boundary of Dedham. Land bank bills. Revolutionary 
proceedings. Votes against the Stamp tax. Indemnity for losses by the riots 
in Boston. Non importation agreements. Vote against the Judges salary. 
Resolution to resist. Tea drinkers denounced, and posted as enemies to the 
country. Minute men. May 27, 1776, Independence declared by the town. 
Preparation for war. Exertions to procure soldiers. First draft of a state con- 
stitution approved. Exertions to procure soldiers. Amount of town expenses 
for the war estimated. Anecdote relating to Mr. Clark the Episcopal minister of 
Dedham. Mr. Dexter. Adoption of the State constitution. A review of this 
period. 

1738. Dedham and Stoughton agreed that Neponset 
river for the future shall be the boundary line between 
the two towns. 

1740. A debate arose in town meeting, whether the 
constables should be instructed to receive land bank bills .^ 
Voted in the affirmative. Eight men protested against it, 
and have their objections recorded. 

174S. A fourth parish is incorporated, caUed Sprint fiehl 
now the town of Dover. 

October 1765. The town chose a committee of seven to 
report instructions to be given to their representatives in 
the general court, respecting the stamp tax. These in- 
structions are addressed to Samuel De.xter esquire, and 
forbid him to do any thing to encourage the execution of 
that act, and enjoin on him the duty of resisting the act, 
for the reasons so fully assigned at that time in public 
documents and writings. The report further asserts, 
without any limitation, the right of the town to give in- 
structions binding on the representatives. 

October 17GG. The general court having proposed to 
the town the question, whether it will bestow an indemnity 
on the late sufferers by the riots in Boston, without consent 
of the town first obtained therefor, the town voted it could 
not ; and it further voted it would not consent even to a 
partial indemnity. 

November 17(36. The town acting on this subject a 
third time, declared that it held in great abhorrence the 



fHAP. Ml.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. Ci) 

destruction of property, by a mob. That the sufferers 
however have no just claim to indemnity, that it would be 
a dangerous precedent to grant it as a matter of right, as 
lately contended for, but nevertheless that we may show 
our dutiful regard to our most gracious sovereign, and our 
gratitude to those worthy persons who caused the repeal 
of the stamp act, we give instructions to vote for the in- 
demnity, as it is now asked for, on the ground of gene- 
rosity. 

176S. The town taking into consideration the criti- 
cal state of public affairs, voted to chose two delegates to 
attend a convention in Fanueil hall. Nathaniel Sumner, 
Esq. and Richard Woodward were the delegates chosen. 

March, 1770. The great distresses produced by oppres- 
sive revenue acts, the coming over of British troops, and 
the laudable example of many lowns, induce the inluihif^nts 
to vote that they will encourage the manufactory of such 
goods as are imported from Great Britain. That they will 
not have commercial dealings with merchants whose names 
are posted u]) in a list among us. " That as the duty on lea 
furnishes so large a sum towards the maintenance of innu- 
merable multitudes, from the odious commissioner of the 
customs, down to the dirty informer by him employed, w(* 
will use no foreign tea, nor permit our families." A com- 
mittee is appointed to see this vote observed. 

January, 1773. Voted that the rights of the colonies and 
provinces have of late been greatly infringed l)y the pa- 
rent country, and that they are threatened with destruc- 
tion. That affixing salaries to the judges, making then) 
thereby independent of the people, is a measure oxlrcmeiy 
alarming. Voted that this town will unite with others in 
measures to preserve their liberties. The coj)y of these 
votes are sent to the committee of correspondence at 13os- 
ton. 

January, 1774. The town voted that they hear with 
infinite pleasure, the determination of other colonics to pre- 
vent tea from being made use of, to enlarge British reve- 
nue in the colonies. As so many political evils an; brought 
about by an unreasonable liking to tea, and it is so bane- 
ful to the human constitution, if any shall continue to use 
it while the act creating a duty thereon is in force, we 
shall consider it as a flagrant proof of their hostility to the 
liberties of the country, and of their own stupidity. It is 




86 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. £chaf. rn. 

further voted that Abner Ellis, the representative, use his 
influence, that a congress, composed of delegates from all 
the colonies be convened as soon as may be. 'A commit-^ 
tee of correspondence is chosen. 

September, 1774. The town met for the purpose of 
adopting measures to prevent the late acts of the British 
parliament from being carried into effect ; and chose four 
persons to meet a convention of delegates from the sever- 
al towns in the county of Suffolk. A convention had been 
holden at Stoughton, on the 16th day of August previous, 
and had adjourned to meet at Woodward's tavern in Ded- 
ham, on the sixth day of September. At that time and 
place the convention met, composed of new delegates from 
Dedham and from other towns. This meeting adjourn- 
ed again to meet at Vose's house in Milton, on the ninth 
day of September. Here the convention, after choos- 
ing Joseph Palmer, Esq. as their moderator, and William 
Thompson, Esq. their clerk, adopted those resolves, and 
made those declarations which are published in the first 
volume of the journals of the old congress, and which seem 
to have been the first of the kind, honored by an insertion 
at full length in their journals. 

December, 1774. The inhabitants again vote that they 
will not drink any kind of India tea, nor suffer their fami- 
lies, until the country has redress of grievances mentioned 
in the association agreement. A committee of eleven per- 
sons was then chosen to make inquiry, whether any per- 
son is so void of love to his country, as to violate these en- 
gagements. If any were found the committee was direct- 
ed to post them up as enemies to their country. 

March, 1775. The town further voted that the con- 
stables should pay the taxes committed to them for col- 
lection, to Henry Gardiner of Stowe, and his receipt should 
be as good as the receipt of Harrison Gray, late treasurer. 

Voted that a detached company of minute men shall bo 
held bound for nine months from the time of their enlist- 
ment. At this time they established the amount of wages 
for officers and soldiers, and voted to borrow money for 
the purpose of paying the company. The money was bor- 
rowed in small sums of the inhabitants. 

Thus far opi>osition had consisted principally in speeches 
and resolves ; henceforth we shall see how the doings of 
the town corresponded therewith. 



CHAP, vn.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. G7 

May, 1775. Voted to raise one hundred and twenty 
men in the parishes, ready to march on an alarm, to be 
raised by the several militia officers in town. The minute 
men shall assemble next Thursday on the common, to choose 
their officers, and for two months to assemble three half 
days in the week to learn their duty. The privates in the 
two companies to be paid at the rate of four shillings per 
day while in actual service. Committees were appointed 
to procure ammunition and guns, to establish night watches 
and cause the great gun of king Philip's day " to be 
swung." 

May 27, 1776. In the warrant for the March meeting 
of this year, an article was inserted in these words. " To 
know the minds of the town about coming into a state of 
independency." The subject thus proposed for considera- 
tion was postponed at several succeeding meetings, to this 
time, when the town unanimously voted that if the honor- 
able congress shall declare the colonies independent of 
Great Britain, the inhabitants will solemnly engage to sup- 
port it in that measure with their lives and fortunes. 

July, 177G. The towns in the state having been requir- 
ed to procure their proportion of troops in two levies. 
This town voted a bounty of seven pounds in addition to 
the other wages of the soldiers for enlisting. Seventy men 
received this bounty. A committee were appointed tr 
provide for the families of the soldiers in distress. Com- 
mittees of safety and correspondence were chosen this and 
in all subsequent years of the war. The aggregate amount 
of services by soldiers of this town during the year must 
have been equal to fifty-five men, employed twelve months 
each. At this time the population did not exceed two 
thousand souls.* The inhabitants were nearly all hus- 
bandmen, and had very little property excepting real es- 
tate. 

* The substance of a census recorded by Samuel Dexter, Esq., in 17C5. 

Parishes. JVo. of houses. Jilur<>riiiliabita iit8. " 

First parish, - - - - - - - - 105 811 

Second parish 43 441 

Third parish, 42 313 

Fourth parish, now Dover, --- 49.-.. 350 

~ Tota), 239 .— . . ipj^f" 



6S 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 



[chap. VII. 



A Talk shewing the number of soldiers in the first parish, andpartial- 
li) paid hy it, collected from a report made by captain Joseph Guild, 
and recorded in the parish hooks. 



Years. 


m°'n"'^| '^'"^° employed. 


Where emplojed. 


Extra pay per man. 


- 1775. 


22 


8 months. 


In various places. 


2 pounds 8 shillings. 
12 shillings. 


1776. 


14 


2 montlis. 


At Roxbury. 


1776. 


7 


12 months. 


In Canada. 


24 pounds. 


1776. 


9 


4 months. 


At Ticondaroga. 


10 pounds. 


1776. 


8 




Marched to New York. 


6 pounds. 


1776. 


3 




Marched to New York. 


10 pounds. 


1776. 


7 


2 and 4 months. 


At Dorchester. 


12 shillings. 


1776. 


5 




At Dorchester. 


6 shillings. 


1776. 


2 volunteers. 




29 pounds to both. 



Fifty-five soldiers from the first parish only, the aggre- 
grate of whose services during the year 177G were equal 
to twenty-two men employed twelve months each. 

February, 1777. The town voted a bounty of twenty- 
four pounds to each man who would enlist for three years, 
or during the war. Forty-nine soldiers received this boun- 
ty. Having voted bounties to certain classes of soldiers, 
it became necessary for the town to reward all other men 
in the public service, according to their respective merit. 
The town attempted to do this, but met with difficulty in 
the details. Then each parish assumed the business of 
paying such soldiers as belonged to it. The parishes 
raised the money by ta.xes. In the year 1778, the first parish 
imposed a tax on its inhabitants for the above purpose, of 
four thousand four hundred and eighty-five pounds, so that 
a corporation organised solely for religious purposes, be- 
came an efficient body to furnish the means of the war. 

1778. The method adopted last year to support the 
war, was observed this. The first parish alone had thirty- 
three men employed one month near Boston, seventeen 
men in other places, and thirty men in the army. The se- 
lect men, militia officers, and special committees, were au- 
thorised and requested to exert themselves to procure sol- 
diers and borrow money. In January, 1778, the town ap- 
proved the articles of confederation of the colonies. May, 
1778. The inhabitants in town meeting, approved of the 
state constitution proposed by a committee of the provin- 
cial congress, by a vote of ninety-eight to thirty-one. This 
model of a state constitution was rejected by a large ma- 
jority in the state. The next year the town instructed its 
representative to vote for a convention, for the purpose of 
proposing a form of state government to the people. 



CHAP, vn.] HISTORY OF DEDHAH. G9 

May, 1779. The town again exerted itself to procure 
the enhstment of soldiers. A vote passed that the quota 
of men from each parish, should be in proportion to the 
taxes paid by each parish. Provisions were then made 
for borrowing money to pay the soldiers. 

1780. The committee which was appointed last year 
to hire soldiers, reported that they had performed that ser- 
vice, and had paid them twelve thousand pounds. The 
number employed was sixty-six, and the amount of services 
equal to twenty-two men, twelve months each. During 
this and subsequent years of the war, demands were made 
on the town for a supply of beef for the army. To meet 
this demand, the town assessed 100,000 pounds on the 
inhabitants, and 8,000 pounds more for the purchase of 
fourteen horses for the army. The committee authorised 
to hire soldiers this year, reported that it could not be 
done. A small number however, were afterwards hired, 
and twenty-six men drafted from the companies to com- 
plete the number required. Great difficulties arose in col- 
lecting the taxes, on account of the fluctuation of the cur- 
rency. The town ordered a table of depreciation to be 
made, and that the taxes should be collected in hard mo- 
ney agreeably to it. The credit of the town was so bad, 
or money so scarce, that the town was obliged to stipulate 
with their contractor for beef, that it would pay him twen- 
ty per cent, in addition to the price of the beef, if it fail- 
ed to pay at the time agreed on. It likewise voted to make 
a deduction of two shillings in the pound, to persons who 
made prompt payment of their taxes. 

TVai- taxes. — Bringing into view the taxes assessed by the 
town and parishes during the war, and the sums borrowed, 
the annual expenditures may be estimated at eight thous- 
and dollars in our present currency. All estimates how- 
ever of this kind, are liable to great doubts, on account of 
the fluctuation in the value of the paper money then current. 
The nominal amount of the expenditures very imperfectly 
denotes the weight of the burden. Before the war, the 
taxes for the support of government, were comparatively 
small, and seem to have been increased eight or ten times 
by it. The pecuniary distress of this town at the present 
time, would not be so great as that in 1780, should its an- 
nual taxes be increased to sixty thousand dollars. The 



70 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. vir. 

inhabitants were nearly all husbandmen ; they had little 
money. The sums borrowed being nearly all of them quite 
«mall, varying from one to ten pounds, shows clearly the 
great scarcity of money. That the war had exhausted their 
means of paying, seems quite manifest, for notwithstanding 
their strong attachment to the cause which they support- 
ed, they at last complained to the general court, that their 
burdens were so great that unless they could be diminish- 
ed, many would be under the necessity of removing out of 
the town. 

In the common cause, the people in the town acted and 
suffered with great unanimity ; and in the same proportion, 
that they felt indignation against the enemy, did they pos- 
sess kindness for their own friends. As the strong current 
of popular feeling ran all one way, there was a smooth 
surtiice on the public proceedings of the town. The 
gravest and most able men, assumed their proper stations 
in society ; neither the records, nor tradition have trans- 
mitted the knowledge of any event which proves the least 
disorder by reason of debate or contrariety of opinion, ex- 
cept in the following instance. 

At the commencement of the revolution, there resided 
in Dedham, the Rev. William Clark, the episcopal minis- 
ter of a very small society, composed of individuals in 
Dedham and Stoughton, living on a salary of fifty pounds, 
twenty of which was paid to him by the society in England, 
for propagating religion in foreign parts. Soon was his 
little flock driven from their humble church, standing on a 
place about sixty rods south of the new court house, which 
was afterwards used for a store house for the soldiers. Mr. 
Clark then repaired to a dwelling house, and there secret- 
ly performed the services of his religion. He carefully 
abstained from all political discussions or affairs. In the 
spring of 1777, two loyalists in their distresses fleeing 
liom the people who persecuted them, asked of Mr. Clark, 
information of a place, to which they might flee for an 
asylum. This request he so far complied with, that he 
gave to the loyalists a recommendation directed to persons 
in another county. For this a prosecution was brought 
against him. The town committee first reported that he 
and two other persons of his flock, were enemies to their 
country, and were recorded as such in the town records. 
Then a considerable number, who sought his condemna- 



THAP. vii] riTSTORY OF DEDHAM. 71 

tion carried him by force, before the revohitionary tribu- 
nal at Boston, which had been appointed to try all similar 
cases. He was denied the privilege of coinicil ; he 
was about to be acquitted however, for- he was not convict- 
ed of any crime excepting that of giving succour to a fel- 
low man in distress. He was required to swear allegiance 
to the Commonwealth, which he refused. For this refusal 
he was condemned to be transported to foreign parts, and 
was immediately confined in a prison ship in Boston har- 
bour. By means of his hard usage and confinement, he 
lost his health, and in a great measure the use of his 
speech. Dr. Ames of Dedham, a decided whig being ac- 
quainted with his suft'ering, interfered in his behalf, and 
procured his liberty, and a license to go out of the country. 
He soon went away, and as the only means of support, 
sought and obtained a pension. Two of Mr. Clark's so- 
ciety were recorded as enemies to the country, but were 
no further prosecuted. These individuals are known to 
this generation , and it is impossible to believe that the 
public safety required any proceedings against them. 
Mr. Clark, was a peaceable and humble man devoted to 
his profession ; he had no party to support him. The stones 
directed against the windows of his church, the frequent 
insults he met abroad, had early admonished iiim of his 
danger among the resolute sons of liberty ; he was there- 
fore cautious and retired. So it is while a society is agi- 
tated with the most magnanimous resolution to defend their 
liberties, some will ever be so misguided, that they will, 
under the pretext of supporting their rights, wickedly vio- 
late the liberty of others. Mr. Clark was an episcopalian. 
Did any of his persecutors cherish a vague hope that if the 
minister was ignominiously driven away, the inheritance 
of his church, the Colburn estate, might become the in- 
heritance of others ?* This I should not dare to affirm. 
But I may be pardoned for saying it seems to be heresy 
rather than treason for which he suffered ; as one other 
gentleman whose abilities and influence, made him more 
dangerous to liberty, escaped prosecution. During the 
revolution, there were many substantial and influential 
men here who regulated the measures adopted by the town. 

* Did any one ever ask himself the question, has not llie immediate successor of 
Mr. Clark, avenged his wrongs ? 



72 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, vii 

When all behaved well, it may be difficult, and it may be 
unjust to select a few for notice, and neglect others equal- 
ly meritorious. The Hon. Samuel Dexter, however, de- 
serves to be honourably mentioned among men of the 
revolutionary age. This gentlemen was the son of the 
former minister of Dedham, of that name, and the father 
of the late Samuel Dexter, the celebrated advocate and 
civilian. It was his father's wish that he should become a 
minister. He had while a youth, a taste for theology, but 
he acquired a dislike to the profession, principally it is 
said, by means of the calvinistic doctrines of his father. 
He was early in life established as a merchant in Boston ; 
and while yet a young man, had acquired enough proper- 
ty to satisfy a wise man, he therefore abandoned his lu- 
crative employment and retired to Dedham, his native 
town. From the time of his coming to Dedham, in 1763, 
to 1775, he seems to have directed and influenced all the 
public affairs in the town, in the church and parish to 
which he belonged ; and did more in this important 
period, to promote the interests of the community, both by 
his services, his advice and his donations, than any other 
individual since the days of Lusher, and Fisher. He was 
many times a deputy to the general court. He sat five 
years in the provincial congress ; he had the honour to be 
negatived as a councillor several times by the royal gov- 
ernors. He was appointed a commissioner to settle the 
affairs of the land bank, and was chosen treasurer of the 
state ; this office he did not accept. He was one of that 
council, whose duty it was to assist and support the mili- 
tary operations at or near Boston, in the beginning of the 
war. On that occasion he maintained that it was impoli- 
tic and hazardous to bring a large body of undisciplined 
troops near to the British army, then in Boston. The ma- 
jority decided otherwise. This advice exposed him to the 
imputation of being too timid, and even to the whispers of 
some that he had grown lukewarm in the cause of his 
country. But this was unjust, for he did much to support 
it ; although he was less sanguine and zealous than some 
others. He retired from all public employments when his 
constituents were dissatisfied with his advice, and could 
not afterwards be persuaded, although much solicited, to 
accept any office. He soon after removed to Mendon, and 
there spent the remainder of his days in dignified retire- 



CHAP. VII.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 73 

ment, having a disposition to be far away from tiie strife 
of the world. 

By his last will he gave five thousand dollars to Har- 
vard University, to promote biblical criticism. Mr. Dexter 
was at the commencement of his public life somewhat in- 
clined to use severe sarcasm on his opponents, but this trait 
in his own character he acknowledged, and lamented as an 
error in his declining years. It may appear that a proud 
spirit influenced him in retiring from the councils of his 
country, at a critical period of the revolution. But in this 
transaction when fully understood, we must insist that he 
sat a good example. Instead of doing as ordinary men 
frequently do on such occasions, become querulous, fac- 
tious, and more eager in their pursuit for office, he quietly 
retired satisfied with the conscious integrity of his own 
motives, and left his place for those who have the confi- 
dence of the public. His voluntary abandonment of 
wealth, which he was pretty sure of acquiring, and the 
good uses he made of what he did possess, and his econo- 
my and his liberality, go far to prove that he was a high 
minded and good man, and a real patriot. His taste for 
theological studies continued through life. He gave his 
attention to some questions now much discussed, and de- 
termined at one time to publish what he had written on 
them, but on further reflection, he resolved to hum the 
whole, lohich he did. It is understood that on several points 
of theology, he dissented from the majority of divines in New 
England,* particularly on the doctrine of the trinity. 

The revolution imposed on the people the necessity of 
making a new state government. In ordinary times, this 
duty would be arduous and attended with nmch debate. 
The frequent debates of those times, difl^'used the know- 
ledge of the fundamental principles of government exten- 
sively, and the people acquired great self confidence in 
their ability to form new constitutions. 

May, 1780. The town voted on the question of accept- 
ing the constitution of the state, reported by a previous 
convention. The town gave a unanimous vote of one hun- 
dred and thirty-two for the preamble and most of the articles 
in that instrument. »Some articles were objected to, and 
a committee of fifteen persons were chosen to report amend- 

* Montlilv Antliolofrv, for July. IfSlO. 
10 



*4 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. vii. 

ments of the objectionable parts. They recommended va- 
rious alterations in the proposed constitution. They would 
have all religiovs denominations equally protected, and not 
all religious denominations of protestant christians only, as 
in the constitution. They would have the time during 
■which the judges should hold their office, seven years in- 
stead ofduring good behaviour and life. They recommend- 
ed an exclusion of clergymen from the house, although they 
had elected a clergyman, the reverend Jason Haven, to at- 
tend the convention, which made this constitution. They 
proposed that the governor's and judges' salary should not 
be increased for the first five years after their appointment. 
These and other proposed amendments, were adopted by 
the town, two persons only voting against them. The con- 
stitution asserted the principle, that representatives and 
rulers are the attornies and agents of the people. We 
shall see hereafter what construction was put on this arti- 
cle in the bill of rights, by the subsequent practice of the 
town. 

Looking back on that period, when the ever memorable 
events of the revolution agitated the community, we may 
perceive considerable changes in the manners and habits 
of the people since that time, but these are subjects which 
belong to more general histories. I have no evidence to 
support the assertion that this town excelled the inhabitants 
of any other town by their exertions or sufferings in the 
common cause. They united, they did well, they caused 
all the non-consumption and non-importation agreements 
to be observed ; they did all that seems to have been re- 
quired of them, which was nearly all they could do. Ex- 
cepting the case of Mr. Clark and his two friends, there 
was only one other individual who hesitated in the begin- 
ning of the war, and he being a respectable gentleman, 
was at first indulged and afterwards won by kindness into 
the service of the town. 



jHAP. VlII.l 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



^n account of events from 1784 to 1826. Practice of g.vng ".s.r«c .ons to tepre- 
sentatives. A specimen. Votes in relation to the insmrecfon ol 17ot,. I)ed- 
ham becomes the shire town of Norfolk county. Politicalpart.es. I o.ngs .n 
relation to the war of 1812. The people approve the war, and oppose ^e m - 
sures designed to counteract it. State convention of November, 1820. btab.Uj 
ofcharLtl. The influence and spirit of husbandmen strongly predominates. 
cldLof professional men Changes taking place by the ^^^^'^^^f^^^ 
Recent events calculated to diffuse erroneous opu.ons of the ^h--^- "J^'^ ' 
habitants. The small number .f persons found on the crumna docket 1 ^ 
large number of freeholders proportioned to the whole population. T- r co . 
forfable situation. Increasing attention to education, to "--1 and rehg^u .n 
struction. The beginning of manufactures and trades. Some faults. Increase 
ofTupers. Ofintemperltemen. Want of sufficient liberah.y towards men o. 
active and independent minds. The Ames family. 

July 7 1T84. Dover district was incorporated, com- 
prehending the fourth, or Springfield parish. 
^ During the revolutionary period, and m several succeed- 
ing year's, the town frequently voted instructions to tJien 
representatives, which were recorded at full length. These 
instructions were in some instances, minute, anddonotat- 
ford the least hint that the representative may depart the.c 
from, on account of his conscientious scru,)les, produced 
bvTmore full investigation. I insert an extract ftom in- 
stmctTons voted in Ma"y, 1786, as they aftord a pretty good 
specimen of this town'legislation, and ^^^ ^^ov^^ 
of the people in relation to important events of that time. 
" To ,Vathaniel Kingsbury, Esq., recently chosen represent ahve : 
" We," says the record, " are apprehensive that many 
salutary measures of congress are defeated ^^J^^ 
sufficient power to carry them into effect. \ou are dt 
"red therefore to grant such addit.onal powers as may be 
ecessaJy! You are desired to attempt the reduc ion ot 
ta'^s inLe following manne;r. t^"-^^^ "fl^ hv^omr.: 
ges and salaries of public officers. Secondly, ^Y l^PP « 
Sff some unnecessary branches in some departments of g- 
vernment. Thirdly, by abolishing the ^ourt of quar . 
sessions. We are not inattentive to the umveisalcon - 
plaints against the practice of lawyers, which man) ol us 



'^^ HISTORY OF DEDHAai. Lchap. viii. 

too sensibly feel. If they cannot be effectually regulated, 
we then desire the order of lawyers to be totally abolish- 
ed. You are desired to use your utmost efforts to pro- 
cure a division of the county ;" and here are inserted many 
reasons to be urged in favor of that measure. " If a pro- 
ject be brought forward to relieve us from our present 
difficulties, by means of emitting a paper currency, treat 
it with the most decided abhorrence. Encourage manu- 
factures, and do what you can to prevent the introduction 
of foreign luxuries." 

ReheUion of 1786. — If the record above recited evinces 
an inclination to reiterate the complaints of the disaffect- 
ed at that time, another recorded report, accepted by the 
town in October following, shows the wise course pursued 
by the town, in relation to that insurrection. In Septem- 
ber, the town received a communication from Boston, 
promising strenuous exertions to support government. 
Dedham in reply, promised similar exertions, and thanked 
Boston for its resolutions. At the same time however, a 
committee was appointed to report a list of grievances. 
At a subsequent town meeting, the committee reported, 
that instead of renewing complaints at this time, it is more 
useful to explain the causes of many acknowledged evils, 
and suggest their appropriate remedy. The report pro- 
tests against all the treasonable and riotous proceedings, 
then in operation, to overawe the government. It con- 
demns the proposition of renewing complaints, as the 
rulers are well acquainted therewith, and disposed to 
remedy them. The scarcity of cash is an acknowledged 
evil, but the nicest arrangement of the civil list cannot be 
so eff<3ctual a remedy therefor, as private economy, indus- 
try and frugality, and above all, the substituting the man- 
ufactures and productions of this country, for the frippe- 
ries and luxuries of Europe. The town accepted this re- 
port, and resolved again to support the constitution. Fisher 
Ames, Esq. was not one of this committee, but I recognize 
his style herein, and the sound and useful advice which is 
given in the report, correspond with his writings on that 
subject. 

March 2G, 1793. The county of Norfolk was establish- 
ed, and Dedham became the shire town. This event had 
been desired by the inhabitants for many years, and had 



CHAP, vin.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 77 

at several periods since the year 172G, been the subject of 
town votes and resolves. It was by them foreseen that the 
local situation of Dedham, would in the formation of a 
new county, give it a decided recommendation for the 
shire town ; although several other towns were proposed 
for that purpose, particularly Medfield, in which case se- 
veral neighbouring towns in Middlesex county were to be 
united to this county. If Dedham by becoming the scat 
of justice, had some burdens imposed on it, the inhabitants 
cannot with any propriety complain thereof, since for a long 
time they have advocated the measure, and have derived 
a great overbalancing advantage therefrom. 

Political parties. — When political parties arose in the 
United States, under the name of federalists and I'epvhlicans, 
a large majority of the inhabitants became attached to the 
latter party. This majority, generally as three to one, has 
continued to the present time. The propensity of the in- 
habitants to support the measures and maxims of the re- 
publican party, has at all times been strong, and has been 
strongly counteracted by the other party. Owing to par- 
ticular local causes, party spirit has assumed in this town 
a degree of severity, much above the ordinary character of 
it in other places. The writings of the late honorable Fish- 
er Ames, a native of Dedham, must be enumerated among 
the causes of these local excitements. Mr. Ames was an 
eloquent and ardent man, greatly admired by his friends 
when alive, and held up as a perfect model after his decease. 
He instructed his political friends in the modes of party 
warfare, in a publication in the year 1799. " Our govern- 
ment," says he, " has not armies, nor a hierarchy, nor an 
extensive patronage. Instead of these auxiliaries of other 
governments, let it have the sword of public opinion drawn 
in its defence, not only drawn but whetted by satire to an 
edge, to hew its adversaries down. Let jacobin vice be 
seen as a monster, and let not a mock candour pity, till we 
embrace it. Other governments may stand, though not 
very steadily, if public opinion be only neuter. But our 
government has so little intrinsic energy, that this soul 
of the republic's soul must not only approve, but co-op- 
erate. The vain, the timid and trimming must be made 
by examples, to see that scorn smites, and blasts, and withers 



78 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. viu. 

like lighting, the knaves that mislead tlicm."* When these 
sharp and dangerous weapons were put into the hands of 
his pupils and disciples, they mutually encouraged each 
other to use them with zeal and energy upon their oppo- 
nents. Here where the oracle is first promulgated, let us, 
said they, show our devotion thereto, by a great example. 
Unfortunately for Dedham, there were men here who be- 
lieved they should recommend themselves to higher pow- 
ers, if they attempted to blast with scorn, the prospects of 
every man, who dared to act on his own opinion of right. 
How did the other party, the republican farmers, support 
their ground ? or make reprisals in this party contest.^ In 
this town they had no man to put forth in such encoun- 
ters. They had not even a friend to make known abroad 
how intensely their political skirmishes were maintained. 
Our federal foes said they will not even condescend to 
treat us with dispassionate reason, or mild expostulation, 
they ridicule our pretensions to the right of self govern- 
ment, by scorn and sarcasm. They endeavour to teach 
us to laugh at and scorn each other, and thus persuade 
the many to yield quietly to the dictation of the few. If 
we cannot beat our opponents at their chosen game, of 
hard words and satire, we can maintain our superiority of 
numbers at the polls. In this struggle we need not the 
assistance of any literary talents or advocate. Go to the 
polls, and remember that you are opposing the aristocrats. 
When parties are maintained by such means, they soon 
acquire the habit of treating each other as irreconcilable 
enemies, not as honest opponents whom they hope to gain 
by persuasion and fair means. Here we test the correct- 
ness of that doctrine which ])crmits the use of such means 
as are above stated. From the first rise of parties to 1S12, 
the struggle in this town continued between them without 
much variation as regards their relative numbers, or the 
means and modes of attack. W^hat was at first an honest 
difference of opinion, degenerated into personal dislike 
and antipathy. Like that of York and Lancaster, like 
that of Guelf and Ghibeline. The leading partizans could 
not enjoy good fellowship in each others society, any more 
than tiie Hindoo can disregard his cast. Ifa young man 
came upon the stage of life, how difficult was his situation. 

« Works of Fisher Ames, ji. 100- 



CHAP. Tin.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 79 

If he was neutral, he was condemned agreeably to the 
spirit of the Greek law, for indifference in not having any 
principles. If he became a federalist, then he was sus- 
pected of all their errors. If he united with the party sup- 
portino- the republican administration, then another con- 
siderable portion of the community treated him as one 
tainted with all the vices of jacobinism. Suppose that 
this young man by his education, or his talents, gave some 
promise that he would exercise some influence in society, 
then while his open and inexperienced mind leads him to 
suppose that virtue and industry alone will insure him re- 
spect, corrupted and veteran partizans in the opposite 
ranks united to break him down, by whispering in every 
circle, that the object of their fears was weak, or foolish, 
or dishonest ; or to explain it better in the text of politi- 
cal parties, they endeavored to blast him with scorn. In 
such a contest, the timid, the selfish, the trimming, the 
man of two faces, escapes or is elevated, and the honest, 
the independent, the really honorable man, is the hrst ob- 
ject of attack, and is most usually trampled down and his 
wrongs forgotten, and even his friends taught to despise 
him. If a man like Cowper, or Gibbon, or Milton, should 
accidentally find himself seated in a society thus agitated, 
he would flee from it as from a pestilence. The pecu lar 
effect of these party struggles, is fully perceived in another 
feature of society in this town. In one of the oldest and 
most respectable towns in the commonwealth, the shirc 
of the county, where there are now eighteen profes- 
sional gentlemen, where it might be expected that culti- 
vated talents would be sometimes employed in the nume- 
rous annual offices within the power of the people to be- 
stow, not any one of the professions, in late years, have 
been found worthy of public employment. The few tritl- 
incr exceptions to the above statement, only shows how 
str^ong is the policy of exclusion. From past experience, 
the majority of the inhabitants have insensibly acquired au 
opinion that the high gifts of writing and speaking, whicti 
they have witnessed in one of their own townsmen, is not 
usually accompanied by a sound judgment and practical 
wisdom, but will if opportunity be given, be employed to 
their injury. Thus has genius, by an unfortunate direc- 
tion of its powers, contributed to take away al opportuni- 
ties for its proper exercise in the line of public services. 



80 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, viii 

The war in 1812, by adding new causes of excitement, 
gave to party spirit every where a more severe character. 
In July, 1812, Dedham voted that every drafted militia 
man of this town, should receive from its treasury a sum 
sufficient to make his wages fifteen dollars per month while 
in actual service. Soldiers for the army were here re- 
cruited and drilled. In August, five hundred delegates 
from the towns in the county assembled at Dedham, and 
expressed their approbation of the war, and their resolu- 
tion to support government in prosecuting it. To those 
who believed the war unnecessary and unjust, these things 
were peculiarly obnoxious. It is difficult in this calm 
state of society, although we live so near the time, fully to 
comprehend the motives and doings of men who were agi- 
tated by party feelings at that time.*' 

July, 1812. A town meeting was convened to act on a 
communication from Boston, requesting the inhabitants of 
Dedham to unite in measures to oppose the war. On this 
occasion, Dedham voted as follows : " As the resolutions 
of Boston, bearing date the fifteenth day of June last, com- 
municated by their selectmen, requesting our co-opera- 
tion in the measures therein proposed, without disguise, 
recommend a general combination to resist the war which 

•'* The following is a pretty good specimen of the manner in which some events 
were treated by different persons at that time. When general Hull surrender- 
ed his army at Detroit, in 181 -, some received the news with grief and others with 
apparent pleasure. Some viewed it as a victory gained over the republicans, so 
on the other hand, the triumph of our arms was treated not only as a victory over 
the public enemy, but over the federalists likewise. Soon after Hull's defeat, fol- 
lowed another unfortunate affair at Qucenstown, on the Canada frontier. When 
the news of this last event reached Dedham, it renewed still stronger emotions of 
party feeling. At the moment when the bad news arrived, a citizen somewhat ar- 
dent in his approbation of the war, accidentally entered a tavern in the village, 
when several of the opposite party came up to him, one of them exclaiming, " Here 
Mr. democrat, pointing to the news in the paper, see what brave fellows there are 
in your republican armies !! Not liking such salutations, he retreated quickly, and 
went into a neighboring store to learn more definitely the extent of the disaster, for 
different papers gave quite different account of battles. He was no sooner in the 
store than another neighbor is there, who saluted him with great animation and a 
brandished paper. How many more such victories as these, says he, must Madi- 
son's army gain before all Canada is taken ! The afflicted democrat finding that 
there was a party to exult in all the stores and taverns in the village, slipped away 
to his boarding house, where he joined a parly of girls and young men accidentally 
there, thinking that he was then certainl}' safe and protected from further insults. 
Vain were his hopes however, for no sooner does an elderly female of the family, 
a staunch opposer of the war, hear the news, but she seized the paper containing it, 
bolted into the room where the party was, and informed her political adversary' 
that she had a precious morsel for his comfort, and then read aloud, with great ap- 
parent satisfaction, the disasterous news, observing as she retired, " Now, sir, I am 
even with you for reading over to me that insulting account of captain Hull's victory 
over the Guerrierc." 



CHAP. VIII.] HISTORY OP DEDIIAM. SI 

is just and necessary. As they contain statements errone- 
ous in point of fact, disgraceful to freemen wlien viewed 
as an exhibition of their spirit, incorrect as opinions of 
public measures, hostile in their design to the national 
union, and highly disorganising in their tendency. The 
town therefore reject with indignation, the proposed com- 
bination, and resolve to support the government in prose- 
cuting the war." In this resolution, the town continued 
steadfast. When the Hartford convention was proposed 
by the general court, one of its representatives, during the 
debates on that subject, among the few on that side, pro- 
tested against it as a revolutionary proceeding. When the 
amendments of the United States constitution, proposed by 
that assembly, were examined in the Massachusetts legis- 
lature, the representatives of Dedham recorded their nays 
against them. 

When a state convention was about to be convened in 
Boston, November, 1S20, some interest was excited in 
town, in making choice of delegates to that body. The 
parties however seem not to have had very definite objects 
for any contest on that subject. W^hen the town was 
again convened to act on the amendments proposed by 
the convention, the most prominent articles were stren- 
uously opposed, and rejected by a nearly unanimous vote ; 
the same articles were likewise rejected by a majority of 
the whole people. The doings of that assembly were so 
much disapproved, that the inhabitants would not approve 
of those articles submitted to them which were inditVerent 
or useful, and to which no reasonable objection could be 
made. 

From the first settlement of this town, the inhabitants 
have exhibited great stability of character. Those opin- 
ions and principles which they have at first adopted, they 
have steadily supported and maintained. In a period of 
one hundred and ninety years, I do not observe an instance 
of a minority in any important measure, so far increasing 
its numbers as to produce a change in the political char- 
acter of the town. In colonial times, they were ever op- 
po.se d to royal partizans, of provincial governors they were 
ever jealous, and when there was an organised opposition to 
them on that side. In the revolution, they were unwaver- 
ing and united. They approved the constitution of the 
state, and of the United States. They have at all times ap- 
11 



62 HISTORY OF DEDHA3J. [chap. tui. 

proved of a republican administration of them. They re- 
sisted the rebellion of 1780, and disapproved of the op- 
position to the administration of the federal government 
since ISOl . To some, this account will be evidence of ob- 
stinacy of temper, to others it will be proof of wisdom and 
stability of character. As there is no common judge to 
determine whether the people have been obstinately 
wrong, or wisely steadfast, it ought to be said in their be- 
half, that what they have opposed, has ultimately been op- 
posed with success by the whole country. What they 
have supported has been ultimately successful on a large 
scale, and approved by the whole people. 

In this town, almost all the inhabitants until a recent 
period, have been husbandmen, and owners of the soil, their 
influence therefore must of course predominate in every 
thing. The political writings and events of past times, 
have strongly impressed on the minds of many influential 
men, that they have separate interests from the rest of the 
community, which cannot be safely committed to any re- 
presentatives belonging to other classes of men. Hith- 
erto a most efficient organization of the husbandmen has 
caused this principle to be strictly regarded. 

The candidates for office belonging to other classes of 
men have been successfully opposed for their supposed er- 
rors in opinion, and this has established a custom of con- 
fining their suffrages to husbandmen. It has given the 
force of habit to the principle acted on, and many years 
must elapse before it will cease to operate. Other towns 
in the county have been governed at times by the same poli- 
cy, but not so steadily as Dedham. But a different state 
of things is about to arise. Not many years wall expire be- 
fore the influence of the villages will be felt, before hus- 
bandry will be of much less comparative importance; when 
manufacturers, traders, professional men and mechanics will 
exercise their influence, but above all, when new maxims 
on this point will be adopted by all, because the interest 
of all will require it. We shall not much longer, it is to 
be hoped, see that unnatural state of things, when the law- 
yers and the magistrates will feel themselves obliged to 
keep aloof from the celebrations and festivities of the peo- 
ple, because they are repelled on all other occasions. A 
true friend of his country, must wish that the yeomanry 
who have showed themselves so worthy of possessing pow- 



(HAP. vui.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. So 

er as those of Dedham, should still possess it, for by what 
other class of electors can it be so safely exercised ':' To in- 
sure their just share of influence in all public measures, 
let them seriously inquire whether it is not beneficial to 
them to depart in some few instances from that rigid ex- 
clusion of past times, lest a new combination be hereafter 
formed to exclude them. 

This is the age in which little compact villages begin 
to arise in all parts of the country, which afford any facili- 
ties for manufacturing and mechanical employments. Ded- 
ham has two places of this kind, the court house village, 
and the mills on the banks of Mother Brook. A new pop- 
ulation is about to be admitted into the town, which must 
in time considerably affect its character. In point of in- 
terest, they will greatly contribute to the prosperity of it ; 
in moral effect no evil is yet perceived. The means of 
subsistence are greatly increased, and a wider field is 
opened for the various talents of men, and we can now per- 
ceive the utility of that policy which encourages the man- 
ufacturing establishments of this country, by protecting 
duties. 

Professions. — There are in this town four practising phy- 
sicians, six clergymen, six lawyers, and two gentlemen 
holding judicial offices. The physicians derive a suffi- 
cient income from their practice, to satisfy all the reason- 
able wants of men in that profession. The clergymen, it 
may occur to a careless observer, are not all wanted in a 
town containing twenty-five hundred inhabitants ; but it 
essentially contributes to the peace of this community, 
that there are three denominations of christians in the prin- 
ciple village. And besides, how could public worship be 
celebrated agreeably to the wishes of all, without this va- 
riety t All the clergymen exercise a highly salutary in- 
fluence in their respective societies ; and their efforts have 
contributed essentially to the ameliorated condition of our 
present society, and to the increase of religious affections. 

If there ever was one place in Massachusetts distinguish- 
ed above all others for a combination of circumstances 
unfiivourable to the profession of law, that place was the 
county of Norfolk, from 1781, to 1S2G. At all times, and 
in nearly all places, the people have viewed the first (es- 
tablishment of an attorney, in their immediate ncigiibour- 



84 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, viii, 

hood as a great evil. This aversion to the profession, was 
felt by the first settlers, and has ever since been cherished 
by numerous addresses to the people, by votes of towns, 
by resolves of public meetings, and by the frequent severe 
criticisms in private conversation. Divines have at some 
periods added the influence of their stations against it. 
And last, though not least, may be added the misconduct of 
some members of the profession itself. It is true in large 
towns where the more complex affairs of life have required 
the assistance of lawyers, their usefulness has been felt, 
and acknowledged, and having consequently merchants, 
and intelligent friends to uphold them, the deep felt and 
universal antipathy gradually gave way. But not so in the 
country in general. In particular it was not so in the 
county of Norfolk. Since the days of Thomas Morton, the 
rioter of Merry Mount, the first lawyer established in the 
county, to the present time, a lawyer has ever been the 
object of strong dislike. The towns which compose the 
present county, having until a recent period been a part 
of Suffolk county, had very little business which required 
the aid of the profession. Consequently it has happened 
that in this community of farmers, for a hundred and fifty 
years, the original dislike to attornies by profession, has in- 
creased and gradually become a distinct trait of charac- 
ter, transmitted from generation to generation, by the in- 
fluence of habit and hereditary sympathy. And nothing 
in all that time has occurred to counteract it. The dis- 
contents which resulted in Shay's rebellion in 17SG, added 
a mighty force to the sentiment so generally felt before. 
Many towns like Dedham, exhibited a strong inclination 
to unite in some scheme to blow up the whole legal fra- 
ternity at once. Shay's rebellion soon passed away, and 
then arose those unhappy dissensions between Federalists 
and Republicans, which in their consequence were still 
more adverse to the prospects of lawyers in this county. In 
the high party times Mr. Ames, the first lawyer established 
in this town, was a candidate for Congress ; and his oppo- 
jionts did not fliil to mention that he was a lawyer, and 
that farmers should have farmer representatives. The 
community in all subsequent elections, when there was 
occasion for it, by using the same argument, clearly show- 
ed how powerful they considered it. In the phrenzy of the 
early party times, without much regard to circumstances 



c«AP, vni.l HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 85 

or consequences, all the members of the profession joined 
that party which was the minority m this county, and be- 
came zealous partizans, and thus gave the.r adversaries a 
finT chance to' fix on them the double od aim of pohtica 
heresy and of bad practices. Shall I be pardoned, if I 
intimate that under such circumstances, the members of 
he™ar, ought to have looked about them, and observed 
he many evils and disadvantages they had to avoid or en- 
couilr The leading and oldest members, should have 
cdled their brethern around them, and addressed iiem in 
tprms like these. You see how many things combine to 
de"Le on profession, and expose the brethren. Will 
voS unfte m a liberal and necessary policy to relieve your- 
LTves ind benefit society ; have we sufficient magnan.miy 
to retire from those little skirmishes and party conflicts, in 
whc we must be most insignificant actors ; and for a 
rime forecro the pleasure of a public employment.? The 
ceTbrity of the Suffolk bar, will for many years to come 
take tvl us the management of the few "-P-;;-^,--- 
here the field for the exercise of our profess.ona skill, 
w, f'the efore be limited to small affairs, and we shall in 
consequence of it have strong temptations to engage in 
other pursuits, unflxvourable both to the reputation and 
harmony of our profession. If one member pushes him- 
elf fo wai-d by soliciting business directly, or by engaging 

fo^eering^fforts on one side, those of the opposite party 
rvfeel It adutyto make similar efforts on the other. 
Another consideration should induce us not to engage in 
Anotner coubiu chosen profession. 

f s^ulirr ™ n polHi^d ^^^^^^ asserts thatL wealth 
of the staTe IS mosf promoted, by the greatest practica di- 
V s on of labour, and that every man therefore should, f 

tuh aSt.pl,cityof affa,.., .hen by pecunmry embarrass- 



S6 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. viii. 

ments, which expose them to peculiar temptations, and 
lead them insensibly into crooked paths. The profession 
cannot be a lucrative one in the country, and he who aspires 
to riches by means of it forgets the spirit of his station. 
It is honourable poverty united with strict economy, that 
should content us ; since that will secure our real inde- 
pendence, and affords us literary leisure. Let the rich 
roll by in their carriages I Let others seek the crowded halls 
of our legislature : we must forego their honours, that we 
may aspire to others within our reach, and more worthy of 
our ambition. There is ample room left us for the exer- 
cise of a vigorous intellect, not indeed in the ordinary prac- 
tise of our profession, but in the various departments of 
literature, in the cultivation of legal science, in the nume- 
rous exercises of the mind, which have a tendency to de- 
light or improve society. As our young brethren join us 
from time to time, fresh from the groves of the academy, 
animated with generous and youthful ardour, by the best 
models of human excellence, let us contrive a plan for the 
exercise and expansion of their rising virtues in real life. 
Above all things let us frown on that party spirit which 
seeks with fierce and unrelenting rage to destroy every 
thing, not congenial to its dark and malignant temper. If 
we permit the names of Federalists and Republicans to 
excite unpleasant and uncharitable feelings, within our 
fraternity, we may wield by our united efforts a degrading 
influence over the rights of conscience and the freedom of 
the will, but we shall frighten away every elegant genius, 
or oppress every generous spirit who cannot flee, and we 
shall only bring forward the blustering, the mercenary and 
the cunning man in small things. These considerations 
so obviouslv important to the profession in the very begin- 
ning of its establishment, have been overlooked or disre- 
garded by some members of the bar in the county of Nor- 
folk, and they all, the innocent and the guilty, have reap- 
ed the bitter fruits thereof. The people who have had 
illiberal prejudices or selfish views against them, have had 
a plausible excuse, at least in proscribing a class of men, 
who when the hand of everyman was against them, were in- 
capable of union among themselves. There is now prospects 
of abetter state of things. Past errors are seen. One gentle- 
man has set a good example, and has rendered an impor- 
tant service to his brethren, and the community at large, 



cs±r. Tm-J fflSTORY OP DEDHaM. Si 

by his valuable editicwos of kw bor.ks. and editorial iKMes. 
and his digest of reports. An example so mach the 
more to be valued, as it was discouraged by the prevail- 
in spirit around him.* The income of the six clergvroen 
now settled in this town. I am satisfied considerablv ex- 
ceeds that of the six practising lawyers, and yet the c«3m- 
plaints against high fees will continue to be made against 
them. 

Recent (r^nts in this town have had a tendency to create 
an opinion abroad, that here was a litigious and turbulent 
community. Many controversies in the year IrlS. and in 
subsequent years, did exist here. In these were disputes 
in the first parish respecting its funds and rights in pews, 
and its mode of taxing. The episcopal church had many 
suits with its late incumbent, who resisted an amicable 
settlement of his long accounts. The Dedham bank in- 
vited a public prosecution against it. by its irregular prac- 
tices. All these things happening at nearly the same time, 
produced much excitement here, and must have exhibited 
our society in an unfavourable light. Now when all these 
things are past, it is easy to perceive that a tew liiigi«Mis 
men were the chief authors of all this contention. The 
inhabitants must indeed bear some share of the blame in 
yielding to the iniiuence and councils of such men. when 
they ought to have opposed them. They who were the 
most active in advising to improper measures, and there- 
by producing contention at home, were likewise the mo:$t 
busy in spreading the tale of scandal abroad, and some 
of the most peaceable and worthy men here were repre- 
sented as the worst. Ihe principal authors of the mis- 
chief, no longer possess pouer to do harm, and the in- 
habitants are permitted to refute the imputations on their 
characters by peaceable and virtuous lives. 

1 have examined the criminal docket in this county for 
twenty years past. I do not find that any person, an inhabi- 
tant of bedham. has during that time been convicted of any 
crime in the supreme court, court of sessions or court of 
common pleas. Persons have been convicted of small of- 
fences before justices of the peace. There are two cases 
only recollected of divorces wherein one of the parties re- 
sided in the town. The causes of divorce were in this in- 



88 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, tiii 

Stance, as in almost all the others agitated in this court, 
brutal habits, produced by intemperance. This is the 
principal cause of conjugal infelicity wherever it exists in 
this society. Other kinds of it are hardly named. 

A table in the tenth chapter will show in what manner 
the land is divided among the inhabitants. Nearly all the 
inhabitants having families, over thirty years of age, are 
landholders. The number of men having families, who 
labour on farms which they do not own, probably does not 
exceed twenty. In consequence of the equal division of 
the land, its nearness to Boston market, the multiplied 
means of acquiring property in mechanical employments, 
in the manufactories, in the transportation of goods in wa- 
gons between Boston and Providence, in putting up pro- 
visions for the Boston market, the inhabitants are a pros- 
perous community, and well supplied with the comforts, 
necessaries, and in some cases, the luxuries of life. 

The words comforts and necessaries of life, being rela^ 
tive terms, may not convey that precise information which 
some may desire. The amount of what is actually posses- 
sed and enjoyed may be better known by description and 
by considering the amount of income of different classes 
of persons. The houses, with very few exceptions, are 
sufficiently large, two stories high, clapboarded and most 
of them painted, the inside plastered and finished. Many 
have carpets on their floors. A very few families it is 
believed are destitute of tea, coffee, sugar, flour, ami 
all other articles which the dairies of the country at a dis- 
tance, or the groceries at home can furnish. 

The meat carts, fish carts, and bread carts, at proper 
times, carry to every man's door the articles which they 
contain. Clothing, which was formerly a most expensive 
article is now easily procured. The proceeds of the la- 
bour of one female in a cotton manufactory in one week 
will procure for her family twelve or fourteen yards of cot- 
ton cloth ; formerly when exerted on the spinning wheel, 
it would not procure more than one or two yards. The 
husbandman, by carrying one load of wood to market, 
with his own team can purchase a barrel of flour with its 
price. It required many days of hard labour, in former 
times, to produce that quantity by raising it from our hard 
and stubborn soil. The value of land is some evidence 
of the advantages of a husbandman. The price of good 



CHA?. VI11.3 HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 89 

mowing land in this town, varies from fifty to two hun- 
dred dollars for an acre. The price of an acre of rocky 
wood land, unfit for cultivation varies from twelve to twen- 
ty dollars after all the trees are cut oiV. The price de- 
notes the income of land. But the principal source of in- 
come is the industry of the inhabitants which i stimulated 
by every motive and is consequently very general. 

A table in the tenth chapter will show what exertions 
the inhabitants of this town have made at different times 
to promote the education of their ciiildren. In the year 
1817, the town was indicted for not keeping a grammar 
school, according to the provisions of law then in force. 
The inhabitants were opposed to that part of the law re- 
quiring a grammar school, because in their opinion it 
would withdraw the means of supporting more fully the 
common district schools. There are now eleven district 
schools in this town, of unequal size, which are sup- 
ported such part of the time only, as their portion of the 
school grant will authorise. Spirited attempts are now 
making to improve these schools in the mode pointed out 
by the law of 1826, relating to this subject, with good pros- 
pects of success. There are evidently increasing eflbrts 
in the town to diffuse the benefits of instruction of all 
kinds. If heretofore many individuals have viewed the 
advantages of a good education in no other light than that 
of conferring a dangerous superiority over their neighbours, 
such opinions are not now entertained, at least they are 
not publicly avowed. If the inhabitants have not excelled 
in the number of those who from among their sons have 
been educated at college, they have not been deficient in 
this respect. In the summer of 1825, there were four young 
gentlemen belonging to the little village of Dedham, in 
the city of Paris, for the purpose of completing their pro- 
fessional studies, and travelling through several countries 
of Europe.* 

* Mr. Alvan Fisher who has gained considerable celebrity as a painter of land- 
scapes, Dr. John D. Fisher, Dr. Fisher Ames, and Dr. ,Iohn Richards. Dr. Fish- 
er while visiting those who had the small po.\ and varioloid diseases at Paris, pro- 
cured a French artist to execute paintings at the bed side of the patients under iiis 
immediate instructions, to illustrate the appearance of these diseases in all their 
stages. He is now engaged in an altemi)t to furnish ijh3sicians with a copy of the 
paintings, by publishing a series of engravings, which are afterwards to be |)ainted 
like the original copies. The most distinguished physicians have recommended the 
work as one much wanted, and one which must be greatly useful, and one it may be 
added, which reflects much honor on so young a man as Dr. Fisher. 

12 



^0 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chaf. rnr 

The young women here impart instruction to tlie chil- 
dren in the Sunday schools. Considerable sums are given 
every year to support those societies and institutions 
which are designed to diffuse the benefits of the christian 
religion. Surely we may assert one thing of these benevo- 
lent societies, without being involved in the much disputed 
question, whether they will ever effect the object intended. 
The community which contributes liberally to their sup- 
port, must have many persons of high excellence and great 
benevolence. I notice the fact in the church records, that 
the benevolence of the christian society here was chiefly di- 
rected towards charitable objects, until the year 1805. Then 
in the ministry of Dr. Bates, it began gradually to run in a 
different channel and a far more copious stream into the 
treasury of the missionaries. Thus far things good or ex- 
cellent have been noticed. What is bad and imperfect 
must be mentioned. And here may be enumerated among 
other things, a great increase of paupers, and of intem- 
perate men, a want of sufficient liberality towards men of 
active and independent minds. 

During the first century, it is probable that the public 
expense of supporting the poor was less than that of a sin- 
gle year at the present time. For one hundred and fifty 
years, no poor house was necessary. Now both a poor 
house and a house of correction are requisite. The alarm- 
ing increase of expenses for the support of the poor, with- 
in a few years, partly arises it is believed, from an injudi- 
cious method of supporting them ; a method which rather 
encourages their idleness and improvidence, than prevents 
them by suitable employment. When the town shall avail 
itself of the good examples of neighbouring towns on this 
subject, and thereby learn how to employ those who will 
not employ themselves, the present great expenses may be 
partly avoided.* 

If the pay of overseers and other items, not included iji 
the last year's expense, be added, the whole amount will 
be four times greater than that of 1776. The population 

* Expenses of the poor every tenth y^ar, from 1776 to 1826. 



1776. Expense of the poor in poor house, none. 

:78.5. " " " " " " " $4GG 05 

1795. " " " " " " " 118 56 

1805. ■ '' " " " " " " 207 54 

1815. " " " " " " " 914 18 

lS-25. " " " " " " " 959 29 



E.xpense out of the poor house, $'472 8.3 

" " " " " 450 e6 

" " " » « « 272 68 

" " " " " 639 54 

" " " " " " 256 63 

" " " " " " 869 49 



CHAP, viii.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 91 

has increased about one-fifth since that time. The in- 
crease of paupers is attributable to the increase of intem- 
perance. It is not known that in this respect, Dedliam is 
worse than the neighbouring towns ; but here, and in all 
places around us, the evil is great and increasing, and who 
knows how soon this horrid vice may cause the great mass 
of the population, to be a corrupted and a debased gene- 
ration, unworthy and incapable of enjoying civil liberty ! 
The mostrigid execution of the laws against intemperance, 
will not perhaps eradicate it. Yet the town has had much 
cause to regret the neglect of the proper authority in ex- 
ecuting the laws, since in some years the benefit of a strict 
execution of them has been fully perceived. 

Dedham is deficient in the want of sufficient liberality 
towards men of active and independent minds. This how- 
ever must be said with great diffidence, for cotemporaries 
are bad judges of such a point. To assign the causes of 
this peculiarity of character, would lead to reflections 
which may not be indulged in this place ; but still I am 
required to say, that the frequent elections to the numerous 
annual offices, sets in motion a great many men to obtain 
those offices. Among numerous competitors, that man 
has the worst chance of success, who has been active, in- 
dependent, and the proposer of public measures. His ri- 
vals can always find some measure or expression or speech 
of such a man to be wrong, and evidence of his unsuitable- 
ness for public employment, whereas a man of an opposite 
character, who is careful to abstain from speech or action 
that may offend his party, is not exposed to any difficulties 
of this kind. The people frequently hear repeated the 
correct political maxim, that they are the sovereigns and 
lords of the soil. They are indeed sovereign, and have 
many favours to bestow, and there are consequently many 
aspirants for those favours. There is another important 
truth which they very rarely hear pronounced, that the as- 
pirants for office are pretty much the same sort of men 
every where, before the majesty of the people, and before 
his majesty the king, in a republican caucus, and in the 
court of a prince. That they are more inclined to support 
the errors of their masters than to oppose them. That they 
are more inclined to seek promotion by a cautious cun- 
ning reserve, than by substantial services and manly 
freedom. 



92 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. viii. 

Of the family of Ames. — Dr. Nathaniel Ames, the elder of 
that name, the celebrated almanack maker, came to Ded- 
ham in the year 1732 from Bridge water. I observe that 
he was much employed in town and parish affairs. He 
published forty almanacks in so many successive years ; 
the first when he was sixteen years of age, which perform- 
ance, for so young a man, is evidence of an uncommon 
genius for mathematics. He was a man of acuteness and 
wit, he possessed a cheerful and amiable temper. Dr. 
Ames had the reputation with some of being a real con- 
jurer. It is not certain that he disclaimed all skill in as- 
trology, for it is observable that in his almanack for the 
year 1759, he predicted dire wars and great revolutions, 
which were to happen in the year 1762, and asserted 
in the same almanack, that he had grounded his prophe- 
cy on the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which 
was to happen in 1762. Astrologers had for a long time 
fixed their eyes on that period, as big with new and re- 
markable events. In his almanack for 1763, he asserted 
that astrology had a philosophical foundation, although 
men could never know much of its principles. Is it strange 
then that he should have cause to complain as he did, that 
the people required more information of an almanack ma- 
ker, about future events, than was known by the devil. 
He was the father of the late Dr. Nathaniel Ames, and the 
late Hon. Fisher Ames. He died in July, 1764.* His wife, 
the mother of Dr. Ames and Fisher Ames, survived until 
the year \%ll, and died in the ninety-fifth year of her age. 
I saw her a few years before her decease, then of a small 
and erect stature, and affording then evidence of her form- 
er high spirit, by her animated motion and prompt replies. 
She was a descendant of the first Daniel Fisher of this 



* The first wife of Dr. Ames died wlien her first child was born. Soon after the 
child died also. She was seized of land which descended to her from the family 
of Fishers This land having descended to her child, a question arose whether it 
should ascend to the father, as heir at law of his child, contrary to the rule of common 
law? The supreme court (two judges dissenting) decided that it did ascend. Dr. 
Ames, although the successful party, expressed his dislike at the conduct of the dis- 
senting judges, one of which was Paul Dudley, the chief justice, by causing the 
whole court to be painted on the large sign board of his tavern, sitting in great 
state, in their large wigs, each judge being clearly recognised. An open book was 
before them, underneath which was written " province lairs." The dissenting 
judges were represented with their backs turned towards the book. The court 
hearing of the sign, sent the shcrifl'to bring it before them. Dr. Ames heard the 
order given, being then in Boston, and by good luck and hard riding, had just lime 
enough to pull down his sign before the sheriff arrived at Dcdhani. 



CHAP. VIII.] HISTORY OF DEDHAII. 93 

town, the patriot of that name, and inherited his high spirit 
which she transmitted to her sons. When I was told that 
she had supported herself by keeping tavern in the stormy 
days of the revolution, and that her two sons had been ed- 
ucated at Cambridge, [ imagined that there was something 
of that elevation of mind in her character, which has been 
so much admired in the Roman matron Cornelia. 

Dr. Nathaniel Ames the younger, always resided at Ded- 
liam, and began to practice as a physician at an early age. 
On the first rise of parties in the United States, under the 
federal constitution, Dr. Ames became much interested in 
those discussions in which the parties differed. He ad- 
hered to the maxims of the republican party with great 
constancy to his last moments. By doing this, he was 
doomed to the double danger of being strongly opposed 
by his opponents, and weakly supported by his friends, 
which was the case with many professional men in that 
party. Had his more fortunate brother in this respect 
been exposed in early life, to struggle long in the ranks of 
a weak minority, would he not have been broken down by 
his generous struggles to maintain the right cause in his 
view of it.'^ We may conjecture this since in the maturity 
of his fame and judgment, he was not sustained by the 
popular will in public employment. Dr. Ames was a blunt 
man, and somewhat excentric. It would be thought from 
his manner of expression, that he was more powerfully 
influenced by his passions, than by a clear conviction 
of the truth and the goodness of the cause which he sup- 
ported. He was too sarcastic, his humour led him to use 
nicknames. We can all now recognize his person, as he 
appeared in his last days, at the age of eighty years ; erect, 
quick in motion, with nimble steps, with a countenance de- 
noting more the resolution of purpose than mildness of 
manners, in his conversation abruptly attacking the mer- 
chants, by him called lobster princes, and his political oppo- 
nents, by him styled fuderalisis, and the lawyers, by him 
called pettifoggers, the ever standing topic of his censure. 
He did not much flatter the lords of the soil, although he 
delighted to speak of the husbandmen by that name, and 
would speak right boldly for their cause. 

HonotirahJe Fisher Ames. — The life of this gentleman has 
been published with a collection of his political essays, in 



94 HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. [chap. viii. 

one volume. It is not necessary, it would be deemed im- 
proper to interfere with the subjects of that book. But 
still it should be said, that Mr. Ames was greatly and justly 
admired for his eloquence at the bar and in the congress 
of the United States, for his political writings, for his 
ardent and able support of measures by him deemed cor- 
rect and necessary. They who dissented from some of his 
political opinions, may now without any inconsistency, 
and should in justice to his memory, concede all this praise. 
He commenced the practice of law at Dedham,in the lat- 
ter part of the year 17S1. In May, 1788, he was chosen a 
representative to the state legislature, and in the same year 
a delegate to the state convention for ratifying the fede- 
ral constitution. He was chosen a representative to the 
first congress for Suffolk district, and held his seat eight 
years. He was chosen a councillor in the administration 
of governor Sumner, and afterwards president of Harvard 
college, which office he did not accept. He was fond of 
agricultural employments, and by his example encouraged 
his fellow townsmen to enrich and ornament their estates 
with fruit trees, and with a more perfect cultivation. He 
died at Dedham, July 4, 1808. It is much to be lamented 
that difference of opinion relating to public measures^ 
should necessarily have prevented the inhabitants from 
supporting him in public employments, so long as his 
health would have permitted it, as his abilities and his ex- 
perience would in the service of the state, have reflected 
back a part of his own honor on his constituents. It would 
have prevented that unhappy precedent in our history, 
which has contributed to fix that bias of the inhabitants 
against men of his decided character. Of his political 
writings, it does not become me to say much ; they have 
been the theme of praise and admiration of one party, and 
the object of severe and powerful attacks from another. A 
respectable writer of Mr. Ames' school in politics, has ex- 
pressed his opinion of them with the appearance at least of 
impartiality. " The writings of Fisher Ames," says he, " one 
of the most accomplished orators tiiat tlie eastern states have 
]>roduced, had a decided influence. They gave a tone to 
almost all our newspaper essays for a long time. Mr. 
Ames had surrendered his mind to a theory, as men of 
genius are prone to do, pursued it in all its ramifications, 
till judgment was out of sight. There was a settled sys^ 



CHAP, viii] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 95 

tematic conviction in his mind, of an inevitable intrinsic 
principle of rapid deterioration in our institutions. This 
produced a train of melancholy and gloomy forbodings, 
which couched as they were, in the most animated style, 
made a lasting impression. Having taken the deepest in- 
terest in public affairs, when efforts were made to involve 
our career in revolutionary France, he watched the crisis 
with an anxiety almost amounting to mental agony. The 
feelings that were excited at that time imbued all his ideas, 
and led him into the great error of blending -the systems 
of the French republic and our confederation together, 
though no two political systems could be more fundamen- 
tally different. With respect to the former, he was always 
right, sometimes prophetically so, with regard to the lat- 
ter, almost invariably wrong."* 

The brothers we must here observe, were the antipodes 
in politics, and the inquisitive may wish to know how two 
gentlemen of such high metal behaved towards each other, 
Avhen accident brought them together. If their former 
friends and neighbours tell me the truth, they had frequent- 
ly reasons to exclaim in the language of Cassius, 

" Have you not love enough to bear witli me, 
When tliat rash liumour which my mother gave me 
Makes me forgetful." 

In a history of Dedham, the names of these two persons- 
could not be omitted with propriety. In the most active 
part of their lives, they exercised much influence over 
their respective friends. In their temper and manner of 
discussing political subjects, they were deemed models by 
their pupils. Both possessed a strong propensity to satire, 
both attacked their opponents with great severity and 
harshness. Their imitators in this particular having less 
elevation of motive, and more misanthropy in their hearts, 
attempted to employ the same severity and harshness to 
annoy their political adversaries ; but in their mouths it 
was sarcasm without genius or wit, and yet sufficiently 
tinctured with malice. In plain terms, they used hard 
words, ridicule and even the disdainful toss of the head, 
as the legitimate means of party warfare, to do which 
lord Mansfield has well observed, is the privilege only of 
vulgar minds. Now they who contributed much by their 

* Letters on the Eastern States, by William Tudor, p. 53. 



96 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. tiii. 

example and influence to lead their fellow townsmen into 
such habits and manners, enjoy the reputation of being 
good models, and are represented as worthy of imitation. 
While the virtuous and peaceable citizen here aiming at 
nothing but the discharge of his duty in obeying the honest 
dictates of his heart is hewn down by the edge of that sar- 
casm of which they sat the first example. In past times 
this was the case. No unpretending and modest man was 
seen in any public employment, unless this policy of ridi- 
culing and insulting him was resorted to. They whose 
feelings were here lacerated and wounded, had no remedy 
but were obliged to suffer in silence, and have their repu- 
tation attacked without an opportunity to defend it. But 
at last, when the spirit of severe censure from this quarter 
was directed to a higher object than any Dedham man, 
and fixed on the late president Adams, then came a rebuke 
indeed, the review of Mr. Ames' work, by the now pre- 
sident of the United States. Better is it then that some 
faithful Boswell should carefully notice the sayings and 
actions of an eminent man, whose life is to be held up as 
a model, that he may give a faithful account of him to the 
world, than that a man should be represented as uniformly 
wise, just and correct in all his deportment. Such a char- 
acter is not found in the pages of Plutarch, nor in faithful 
history, nor in real life. Mr. Ames was much admired in 
his life time. May not the community then reasonably re- 
quire of his biographer some characteristical anecdotes, 
some details of manners and actions, that will enable it to 
judge for itself? That dashing and self sufficient manner 
of describing a character in a few sentences, so common 
in conversation, can never satisfy an impartial and intelli- 
gent mind. Besides those who really respect the charac- 
ter of Mr. Ames as every ingenuous person must do, is 
desirous of seeing those things which elevale him above 
those numerous debaters exhibited to the public every 
session of congress. They wish to see him at home, and 
observe how he demeaned himself to his neighbours, whom 
in his writings he nicknamed jacobins. They inquire with 
what temper did he deliver his town meeting speeches ? 
In what social circles did he lay aside the feelings of a 
partizan and indulge in innocent sports ? In what depart- 
ment of science was his mind most employed ? In what 
species of polite literature did his excursive fancy lead 



CHAP, viii.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 97 

him? If no satisfaction can be given in these inquiries, 
still let it appear how far he excelled in the humbler du- 
ties of promoting the institutions of society. The sketch 
of Mr. Ames' life, in the first part of his political writings, 
may be considered a eulogy, rather than a biography, dic- 
tated both by motives of private friendship and political 
reasons, and in that view should be regarded as an un- 
exceptionable composition, not in the least degree affect- 
ed by the preceding observations. But the same sketch, 
when viewed as a biography of a distinguished man, may 
be liable to the above critical remarks. 



13 



98 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. , [chap. n. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Ecclesiastical matters. Extracts from the church records, written by the reverend 
John Allin, relating to the gathering the Dedham church. Ordination of teach- 
er and elder. Discipline. Ministry of the reverend William Adams. Minis- 
try of the reverend Joseph Belcher. Of the reverend Samuel Dexter. Of the 
reverend Jason Haven. Events since IS J3. History of the churches and min- 
istry in the other parishes. 



The following account is expressed in the language of 
the records, so far as is consistent with an abridgment of 
them. 

The Dedham church was gathered on the eighth day of 
the ninth month, 1638. The manner of it was on this wise. 
In 163G, there were here about thirty families, and about 
eight unmarried men. In 1637, we agreed to meet at each 
other's houses the fifth day of each week, in order to discuss 
such questions as tend to a peaceable civil society, and 
a spiritual communion in the church society. All the in- 
habitants were invited to these meetings. The following- 
are some of the questions proposed and settled among us. 

May such as in judgment of charity, who look upon 
one another as christians, assemble and speak and hear and 
pray and fast together, being out of church order as we 
are i' Answered in the affirmative. 

What offices of love do christians in our situation, owe 
each other ^ Answer — We owe each other all the duties 
of love enjoined by our religion. To exhort, to admonish 
privately, to communicate and inquire after the guilt of per- 
sons to mutual edification. 

Are christians bound to join in church communion ^ 
Answered affirmatively, because it is necessary to convey 
us to the ordinances. 

What is a church ^ Answer — A number of visible saints 
or believers, who agree to live together in spiritual com- 
munion, for the sake of enjoying the ordinances. 

Who is a fit member for church communion ^ He who 
in addition to a good life, makes an open profession of his 
faith, and gives satisfactory proof of the work of grace in 
his heart. 



CHAP. IS.) HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 99 

Of a church covenant ? It is the appointed means to 
knit this church society together. 

No one ought to be admitted into the church until he 
makes a profession of his faith, and shows tlie work of grace 
in himself 

We concluded, that a church thus gathered, had a right 
to all the institutions of the gospel ; likewise the power of 
the keys whereby she may dispense the same to her mem- 
bers. This power is derived from the church. For the 
keys were not given to Peter, as an apostle, but unto him 
as a member of the church, on the confession of his faith. 

The ordinances are to be administered, and power ex- 
ercised, by church officers, elected and ordained in the 
name of Christ. The officers are pastors, teachers, rulers, 
deacons and widows. Yet the church may depute some 
to exercise gifts to edification, when she is not furnished 
with regular officers. 

The teaching officer is to pray, preach and instruct. 
The pastor only to administer the seals of baptism and the 
sacraments. The ruling elder to admonish, ex-communi- 
cate, absolve and ordain. Deacons to regulate the col- 
lections for the poor, and sing psalms. These and many 
other questions were discussed until 163S, when the in- 
habitants looked to John Allin, who had been invited into 
the town with a view to employment in public work, to 
take the lead in forming a church. Mr. Allin being qual- 
ified, by general consent, for admission into the church, he 
declared Mr. Ralph Wheelock a suitable candidate for ad- 
mission. These admitted the third person, and these three 
it was agreed should admit the fourth member, but this 
mode of proceeding being liable to objections, was aban- 
doned.* Then we two, (Allin and Wheelock,) invited 
eight persons, in our opinion the most suitable for the 
church, to unite with us in setting apart a day of solemn 
fasting and prayer, to prepare ourselves for laying the foun- 
dation of the church. They united with us accordingly, 
and we ten then proceeded thus to choose church mem- 
bers. The company requested Mr. Allin to absent him- 
self from the room, that the remaining nine might elect or 

* Dr. Bates, in a sermon deliverer! February, 1818, which was piiblislied, did 
not notice that part of the record which states that the first method of admitting 
members was abandoned, his subsequent account therefore of its beinj done l>v ten 
persons, seems to he incorrect. 



100 HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. [chap. ix. 

reject him. So each man in his turn, went from the room 
that he might be elected or rejected. The res^ult was, six 
only out of the ten were admitted. Edward Allyne, in re- 
gard to some offences given to some of the company in 
England, was desired to wait until he could explain. An- 
thony Fisher, by his rash carriage and speeches, savouring 
of false confidence, gave offence to some, and was put off 
for further trial. Joseph Kingsbury, although good hopes 
were entertained of him, yet some in the company were 
jealous of him, that he was too much addicted to the world. 
Thomas Morse was thought by the company so dark and 
unsatisfying, as to the work of grace, although innocent in 
respect of men, that he should be delayed. 

We ten continued to meet at the weekly meetings, 
sometime longer. Mr. Edward Allyne was admitted. Mr. 
John Hunting coming unto us that summer, was added un- 
to the church. Joseph Kingsbury remained stiff and un- 
humbled, but at last when we were desirous to determine 
his case, the Lord left him unto such a distempered pas- 
sionate flying out on one of the company, whom the Lord 
had employed to charge home upon some injustice, that 
we thought him unfit for the church. 

Our number being eight, we had a meeting of all the 
inhabitants, in which meeting we stated our intentions of 
formiu!? a church, and the names of those admitted, and 
desired that if any one knew any good cause why we should 
not proceed, that he would come forth and declare it. Ob- 
jections were again made against several persons, but were 
cleared up to our satisfaction. We then had frequent 
meetings to form a church covenant. The names of the 
eight members are John Allhi, Ralph Wheelock, Edward 
Allyne, John Leuson, John Frayre, John Hunting, Eleazer 
Lusher and Robert Hinsdale. 

Having thus prepared the way for entering into church 
convenant we appointed a day for that purpose. We then 
sent letters to the magistrates and churches, giving them 
notice of our intention, and requesting the countenance 
and encouragement of both magistrates and churches. 

By an answer from the governor, we learned that no 
church should be gathered without the advice of other 
churches, and consent of the magistrates. This ive con- 
ceived miirht be prejudicial to the liberti/ of God^s people, and 
some seeds of usurjmtion upon the liberties of the gospel, 



CHAP, IX.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 101 

Whereupon we called on the governor for an explanation. 
The governor then informed us that there was no intent to 
abridge our liberties in gathering a church privately, as 
if it were unlawful, or as if such a church was not a true 
church, and righly gathered, but the design of the law was, 
that if any people of unsound judgment or erroneous way, 
should privately set up a church, the commonwealth would 
not so approve them as to communicate the freedom and 
privileges they did to others. This answer satisfied us ! 

In the letters we sent to the churches, their presence 
and spiritual help was requested. We agreed that the 
day appointed should be spent in solemn prayer and fast- 
ing. Mr. Wheelock was to pray, then Mr. Allin ; and Mr. 
Allin by way of exercising gifts, spoke to the assembly. 
Then each of the eight persons made a public profession 
of his qualification as to faith and grace. Then Mr. Allin 
addressed the churches, and desired them to speak plainly 
and faithfully their opinion of what they saw and heard. 
The elders of other churches then conferred together; af- 
terwards Mr. Mather, of Dorchester, said they saw nothing 
that should move us to desist, and gave us some loving ex- 
hortations. After this, Mr. Allin dismissed the assembly, 
and then the elders gave each other the right hand of fellow- 
ship in token of loving acceptation of us into communion. 

Soon after the church was thus formed, several desired 
to join us, but considering the Lord .Jesus had committed 
unto us the keys of his kingdom, to open and shut the 
doors in his name, and knowing of how much importance 
it is to proceed with caution in our great weakness and in- 
experience, in founding a pure church, we spent all the 
winter in inquiring into their qualifications. Several were 
admitted in the spring. 

After nearly two years trial of the gifts and graces of 
each person in the church, John Allin was selected as the 
leading church officer. He was chosen into the teaching 
office, but whether pastor or teacher was to be his title, 
was not easily determined. On this point the advice of the 
churches was requested, which answered that it was a mat- 
ter of indifference. Thereupon John Allin assumed the 
title of pastor elect. 

The next thing in order, was to choose one or more rul- 
ing elder. After much inquiry into the characters of se- 
veral candidates, John Hunting was chosen into that of- 



102 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. ix. 

fice. Mr. Wheelock was thought of, before Mr. Hunting 
came among us. He was disappointed by the choice, but 
bore his disappointment with christian meekness. 

We appointed the twenty-fourth day of the second 
month, 1039, for the ordination of pastor and elder. The 
power of election was allowed to be in the church, yet 
for the act of ordination, some desired to hear that matter 
discussed. We soon however all agreed that every particu- 
lar church doth depend immediately on Christ, as the head 
thereof, from whom the church receives all power of juris- 
diction. That as there are no footsteps in the gospel, of 
the subordinacy of one church to another, the power to or- 
dain is derived solely from the church where the ordination 
is to be had. Letters from Roxbury, confirmed us in this 
opinion. The church deputied John Allin, Ralph Whee- 
lock and Edward Allyne, to ordain the ruling elder, and 
agreed tliat when ordained, he should join with the two 
last named, to ordain the pastor. We sent letters to the 
neighbouring churches, notifying them of our intentions, 
and desiring their advice. The day being come, we set 
it apart as a day of fiisting and prayer. After prayer by 
elder Hunting, the intended pastor prayed, and then 
preached in the forenoon. In the afternoon he preached 
another sermon. After that, he turned to the congrega- 
tion and inquired if any one knew of any thing which 
should make him desist. No objections being made, he 
then asked the church members to signify their approba- 
tion of elder Hunting, by uplifted hands, all hands being 
uj)lifted ; he then exhorted the elder elect to a faithful 
performance of his duty. 

Mr. Hunting then accepted the office. Mr. Allin re- 
quested the church to depute some persons to ordain the 
elder. Whereupon the church as before agreed, deputed 
John Allin, Edward Allyne, and Ralph Wheelock. Then 
the two last came into the «eat of the elected officers, and 
they with John Allin, laid hands on the head of John Hunt- 
ing, one repeating these words of ordination, " We, in the 
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, ordain thee, John Hunting, 
into the office of ruling elder of this church." Elder 
Hunting then, agreeable to the duties of his office, pro- 
pounded John Allin as pastor. There was a general vote 
for him. Then he accepted the office. Then John Hunt- 
ing with the two brethren, laid hands on his head, and pro- 



CHAP. IX.] HISTORY OF DEDIIA.M lOo 

nounced the words of ordination, as before .stated. Then 
the elders of other churches, signified their love and ap- 
probation of the proceedings, by giving the right hand of 
fellowship to each officer. 

The next Sunday after this ordination, ^Ir. Allin cele- 
brated the Lord's supper, by calling all the members 
around a table, where he prayed and e.vhorted the breth- 
ren to make a confession of sins, and when all had taken 
the elements, he dismissed them. 

I have thus somewhat minutely, stated all the material 
parts of Mr. AUin's record, because he was well acquaint- 
ed with the principles and discipline of the congregation- 
al churches in their origin. He wrote a book on the sub- 
ject, highly approved by the clergy, and was deemed wor- 
thy to instruct that ecclesiastical council which establish- 
ed the Cambridge platform, by being appointed to preach 
before it. 

Mr. Allin's church continued in great harmony all iiis 
life time, and afforded good evidence that his etlbrts to es- 
tablish a pure church, if not entirely successful, were yet 
as much so perhaps as human nature will permit. The 
practice of requiring men and women to make a public pro- 
fession of their faith and grace, before the whole congre- 
gation, was attended with some inconveniences. For not 
every person who possessed all the christian virtues, had 
confidence to make a profession in the full congregation. 
Hence say Mr. Allin's records, " the wife of our brother 
Hinsdale being timid and not able to speak in public, faint- 
ed away in coming into the church. She gave good sa- 
tisfaction in private, and her relation was made for her in 
public, she assenting thereto. The wife of Joseph Kings- 
bury appeared to the church a tender hearted soul, full of 
fears and temptations, and was admitted in the manner 
above related. 

We see in the following case, to what extent the mem- 
bers of the church supposed they were bound by their 
church covenant. 

1641. Our brother Ferdinando Adams, having a pur- 
pose to sail into England, there to remain sometime out 
of the watch of the" church, desired to render his rea- 
sons therefor, that none might be oflended, or else if his 
reasons were not weighty, and his course warrantable, ho 
was willing to hear advice about the same. The church 
after hearing his reasons, consented to his departure. 



104 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, ij, 

I see no instance of an admonition or eX-communica- 
tion from tiie church during Mr. Allin's ministry. In 
ten years, there had been admitted into the church fifty 
males. The number of men assembled in town meeting 
that year at one time was seventy. The number of those 
absent, removed, or deceased, may at least be estima- 
ted at thirty more, which will show that about one half of 
the men were then church members. 

John Fairbanks did not j(tin the church for many years, 
on account of his scruples in making a public profession. 

Deacons for this church were not chosen until 1650. 
Deacon Chickering delayed sometime to accept his ap- 
pointment, on account of his affection and relation to Mr. 
Phillips in England. The church had for sometime differ- 
ent apprehensions of the nature of the office. These were 
the causes of delay. Francis Chickering and Nathan Al- 
dis were the first deacons. The Dedham church was the 
fourteenth organised in the iMassachusetts colony. I adopt 
the arrangement of Mr. Savage. Winthrop's journal, vol. 
1, p. 95, 

Robert Hinsdale and John Frayre, of the first founda- 
tion of the Dedham church, removed to Deerfield. Mr. 
Wheelock to Medfield. Mr. Timothy Dalton, who was at 
one time one of the inhabitants, was afterwards teacher of 
the church at Hampton. Why so many candidates for the 
ministry came early to Dedham, is not known. Mr. Car- 
ter, afterwards minister of Woburn, was here several years. 
Mr. Henry Phillips lived here, except when he was absent 
as a candidate in other churches. Did they believe it a bet- 
ter school for the prophets, than the agitated churches oi 
Silem, Boston, Lynn, Watertown, and Weymouth .'' Dr. 
Cotton Mather has placed Mr. Allin in that class of minis- 
ters who were ordained and settled in England. On what 
authority he does this, I know not. If he had been or- 
dained in England, would he not as Mr. Wilson of Charles- 
town, and other ordained ministers, on their second ordin- 
ation or installation here have done, either protested that 
the first ordination was not valid, or proclaimed that it 
was so.'' Did not his doctrine of ordination exclude him 
from it in England ? 

December 3, 1G73. The reverend William Adams was 
ordained over the church. The inhabitants interfered no 
farther therein than to vote hira a salary of an hundred 



tHAr. IX.] HISTORY OF DEDIIA.M. iUO 

pounds. I have not seen any church records kept by him. 
They are lost. Mr. Adams died on the seventeeth day of 
August, 16S5. Not much evidence of the character of 
this minister, has been transmitted to us, yet on several 
occasions, I have noticed that his name is mentioned in 
several ways in the town records, that denote harmony 
among the people, and great attachment to their pastor. 
In 1682, ^Ir. Adams began an elaborate exposition of the 
first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, which he wrote in 
a blank book, the remaining part of which was afterwards 
used to record the votes of the first parish. Mr. Adams 
resided in Dedham in its most depressed and humble situ- 
ation, excepting several years after his decease. The 
first houses imperfect at first, had in the course of time 
grown much worse, and the people in the village were then 
beginning to disperse into the neighbouring woods. The 
year before his ordination, the second meeting house was 
built. This occasioned some difficulty. It had a bell. 
One year only was the congregation collected by beat of 
drum. Balch received ten shillings for drumming. Every 
man who hitched his horse's bridle to the meeting house 
ladder, forfeited six pence lo Robert Onion. 

After Mr. Adams' death, a vacancy in the ministry hap- 
pened, which has been noticed in another place. 

In loOo, the reverend Joseph Belcher was ordained over 
the church and society, both the church and town concur- 
red in this measure, and this concurrence continued to be 
required in all succeeding ordinations in the town and first 
parish, until ISIS, when by disagreement between the 
church and society, it was determined that the state con- 
stitution had virtually vested in the meinbers of a town or 
parish a right to ordain a minister over the society, with- 
out the concurrence of the church. Mr. Belcher died 
April, 172o, at Roxbury. I have not seen any of his re- 
cords. His reputation as a clergyman was high. 

The reverend Samuel Dexter was ordained in May, 17:24, 
and continued in the ministry here until his death, in Jan- 
uary, 1755. Ilis situation in the commencement of his 
ministry was unpleasant, and required great abdilies and 
prudence to render it successful. He was here in what 
may be called the dark age of the town. His people were 
much scattered in the woods, badly educated, and strong- 
ly inclined to religious contention. ' The formation of new 
14 



106 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. is. 

parishes too, -which happened in his time, would naturally 
create some disputes. A large share of conversation, and 
great attention by all classes, was at that time directed to 
subjects of religion. So far his relation to his people 
would be more pleasant, and would perhaps in the opin- 
ion of a pious clergyman, contribute much to his happi- 
ness. But then, when there is more zeal than knowledge, 
when the most active and restless minds in the society, 
find no other subjects for discussion but theology, and no 
occasion for public meetings but those of the church, for 
the purpose of discipline, then does the situation of the min- 
ister become perilous. This was Mr. Dexter's case. Very 
soon after his ordination, church meetings became frequent 
for the purpose of correcting disorderly members. These 
resulted in an ecclesiastical council, in July, 1725. The 
council after a long investigation, came to the determina- 
tion that the brethren complained of, had wronged the 
church " hy hard, high and unjust reflections,^'' and had taken 
advantage of the perplexed state of the church ; and for this 
offence should make a humble acknowledgment, and re- 
quest to be restored on that condition. This was compli- 
ed with by the offenders, and by the church. This coun- 
cil afforded matter for a new offence, and consequently 
for further admonition. Certain other members were sup- 
posed to be guilty of giving false testimony before the 
council, and consequently deserving admonition. It was a 
disputed fact, whether the accused members were guilty of 
falsehood or not. After much discussion, the church found 
itself a very illy organised body to arraign, try and convict 
a member of this crime, when there was contradictory 
evidence as to the fact, and the matter subsided after much 
discussion. 

In 1735, the church suspended a female from the church 
for the offence of evil speaking, reviling, and reproachful 
language. She believed herself much wronged, and re- 
quested the church to unite with her in a mutual council, 
which was refused. An ex-parte council however was con- 
vened at her house, and publislied their result as follows : 
" In the case of Sarah Gay, we do charitably hope and sup- 
pose, that the first church in Dedham tiiink they have just 
cause for censuring and admonishing iier, but nevertheless 
it has been a time of great temptation in the place, when 
many persons arc misled. We do hope, upon further con- 



CHAP, is] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. lOT 

sideration, they will soften their proceedings towards her, 
wherefore we advi<e her to renew her application for admis- 
sion to gospel ordinances, and humbly hope they will re- 
ceive her, and overlook all that is passed, exercising mutu- 
al forgiveness, without requiring a full confession." She 
renewed her request and was refused. I perceive other 
complaints against other brethren. The neighbouring 
towns were, it appears, in a simUar situation, and Mr. Dex- 
ter was invited to attend at Milton, and at Braintree, to 
assist in councils in those places, convened for the pur- 
poses of healing ditficulties. From these and numerous 
other evidences of church meetings, and ecclesiastical 
councils, in this and other towns about this period, we have 
good ground for the conjecture, that the litigious propen- 
sities of the community, which now find more congenial 
objects in the various pursuits of men, were then directed 
solely to church discipline. And we may suppose too. that 
the clergy and the friends of good order, soon learned 
what the history of the christian church fully teaches, that 
ecclesiastical councils, and synods, and church meetings, 
to prevent dissensions, are more likely to contribute to 
these evils, than aflect their remedy. With these dissen- 
tions, Mr. Dexter was painfully atiected, but the latter part 
of his ministry was calm and quiet. He was greatly re- 
spected by all, was deemed a very able man to advise other 
churches in difficulty, and was much employed in that way. 

In his ministry, 1742, the mode of admitting mem- 
bers into the church was so far changed, that the candi- 
date for admission might at his own discretion, make a 
public profession, or a more private one before the min- 
ister. 

The New England psalms were used in the church un- 
til 1751, when they were exchanged for Tate and Brady, 
bound in a volume with a collection of Dr. Watt's psalms 
and hymns. A record of Mr. Dexter's, denotes that until 
the commencement of his ministry, the deacons read the 
psalm and tuned it. October 24, 17J4. Voted that Mr. 
Jabez Pond shall for the future read the psalm, and tune 
it, deacon Wight not being able. Mr. Dexter preached 
a century sermon, in 17.jS. If the second century of this 
town be commemorated, should it not be on the first of 
September, 1S35, for two hundred years before that time, 
the settlement began. The records of the town began 



108 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. ix. 

September, 1635. Mr. Dexter died January 29, 1755. 
He was the father of the Hon. Samuel Dexter, before no- 
ticed. 

February 6, 1756. The reverend Jason Haven, of Fra- 
mingham, was ordained as the successor of Mr. Dexter, and 
continued in the ministry until May, 1803. He lived here 
at a time more propitious to the peace of the church. Po- 
litical discussions and revolutionary events strongly at- 
tracted the minds of men. The church meetings of his 
days were convened principally to give instructions for 
the management of the church lands, which were so well 
and so steadily improved all his time, that the ample funds 
of the first parish at the present time afford alone a good 
living. In gratitude it should be remembered, that the fa- 
thers of the church, under their pressing necessities for a 
long number of years, suffered these funds to accumulate. 
To the influence of Mr. Haven, supported by his deacons 
and the church, does this praise belong. Mr. Haven was 
hearty in the revolutionary cause. He was a delegate to 
the convention which formed the state constitution. 

Revolutionary times having produced a disposition to 
investigate all the former principles and opinions of men, 
in politics and church government, Mr. Haven caused the 
mode of admission into the church to be altered. This 
was done in 1793. The new method required the candi- 
date to be propounded to the congregation by the minis- 
ter. If no objections within fourteen days were made, he 
was then of course admitted. At the same time the church 
covenant and creed was altered, and made very general in its 
expressions. This creed had so few articles, that all persons 
professing and calling themselves christians, would assent 
to it without any objection. The church had ever in this 
place required of its members guilty of unlawful cohabi- 
tation before marriage, a public confession of that crime, 
before the whole congregation. The oflending female stood 
in the broad isle beside the partner of her guilt. H they 
had been married, the declaration of the man was silently 
assented to by the woman. This had always been a deli- 
cate and difficult subject for church discipline. The public 
confession, if it operated as a corrective, likewise pro- 
duced merriment with the profane. 1 have seen no instance 
of a public confession for this fault, until the ministry of Mr. 
Dexter, and then thev were extremelv rare, [n 1781, the 



CHAP. IX.] HISTORY OF DEDHAH. 109 

cliurch gave the confessing parties the privilege of making 
a private confession to the church, in the room of a |)ubHc 
confession. Jn Mr. Haven's ministry, the number of ca^•es 
of unhiwful cohabitation, increased to an alarming degree. 
For twenty-five years before 1T81, twenty-five cases had 
been publicly acknowledged before the congregation, and 
fourteen cases within the last ten years. This brought 
out the minister to preach on the subject from the pulpit. 
Mr. Haven, in a long and memorable discourse, sought 
out the cause of the growing sin, and suggested the pro- 
per remedy. He attributed the frecjuent recurrence of the 
fault to the custom then prevalent, of females admitting 
young men to their beds, who sought their company with 
intentions of marriage. And he exhorted all to abandon 
that custom, and no longer expose themselves to tempta- 
tions which so many were found unable to resist. 

The immediate eftect of this discourse on the congre- 
gation, has been described to me, and was such as we must 
naturally suppose it would be. A grave man, the beloved 
and revered pastor of the congregation, comes out sud- 
denly on his audience, and discusses a subject on which 
mirth and merriment only had been heard, and denounces 
a favorite custom. The females blushed, and hung down 
their heads. The men too hung down their heads, and now 
and then looked out from under their fallen eye brows, to 
observe how others supported the attack. If the outward 
appearance of the assembly was somewhat composed, there 
was a violent internal agitation in many minds. And now, 
when forty-five years have exj)ired, the persons who were 
present at the delivery of that sermon, express its eti'ect by 
saying, " How queerly I felt !" " What a time it was !" 
" This was close preaching indeed !I" The custom was 
abandoned. The sexes learned to cultivate the proper 
degree of delicacy in their intercourse, and instances of un- 
lawful cohabitation in this town since that time have been 
extremely rare. What sermon or eloquent address can be 
pointed out, that has produced such decidedly good effects. 

Mr. Haven frequently assisted at ordinations. In 17G1, 
he preached the artillery election sermon. In ITGG, he 
preached the general election sermon. In 17S9, he 
preached the Dudleian lecture, and in 1701, he preached 
the convention sermon. He died May 17, 1S()3, in the 
seventy-first year of his age. Dr. Prentiss of Medfield, in 
a funeral discourse, gave him a high character, which 



110 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. ix. 

comes nearly up to Cowpei's model of a good preacher, and 
has expressed him, " simple, grave, sincere, in doctrine un- 
corrupt, in language plain, and plain in manner." 

The circumstance that the first five clergymen have 
been highly praised, without any notice of any fault or de- 
fect in the character of any one of them, may excite suspi- 
cion that there has not been sufficient discrimination be- 
tween that eulogy which flows from friendship and a love 
of display, and that just commendation which rests on real 
merit. If there be error in this respect, it cannot now be 
discovered. 

The reverend Joshua Bates Mas ordained a colleague with 
Mr. Haven, March 16, 1803, and was dismissed from the 
ministry over the parish at his own request, February, 20, 
1S18. The cause of this request was his appointment to 
the presidency ofMiddlebury college. The situation of the 
religious society during his ministry here, was similar to that 
of many others in New England at that time, and well de- 
serves to be calmly reviewed, when facts are remembered 
without the excitement which they produced. From the 
time when Mr. Jefierson first became a candidate for the 
presidency, to the time of his retiring from it, it was fre- 
quently objected against him that he was a disbeliever of 
the christian doctrines. Notwithstanding this objection, 
a large portion of this parish supported his administration. 
The objection was so frequently and so earnestly reitera- 
ted, that this circumstance produced a conviction in the 
minds of many men, that political reasons, and not fear of 
danger to the interest of religion, were the real motives of 
this attack on the president. A respectable minority in 
the parish, on the other hand, who saw their neighbours 
apparently uninfluenced by so serious a charge, concluded 
that they had already come under the influence of wick- 
edness in high places, and had acquired a strong propen- 
sity to infidelity. The minister of a flock thus divided, 
would be in a critical situation, even had he determined to 
observe the strictest neutrality between the parties. But 
Dr. Bates deemed it his duty to proclaim aloud his fears 
and apprehensions from the influence of infidelity. He 
clearly discovered, in conversation and in his pulpit, that 
the writings of one party had made a great impression on 
his mind. It was the fashion in those days to impute dif- 
ference of opinion to improper motives, and even Dr. Bates 



CHAP. ix.J HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. Ill 

could not conceal his opinion, tliat he thought many of his 
hearers, at best, but doubtful christians. His frequent and 
explicit definition of a true christian, when applied by his 
hearers to themselves, so clearly excluded them, that a 
large portion of the society saw that their religious instruc- 
tor viewed them in no other light than that of unworthy 
pretenders to the christian name. Notwithstanding the 
abilities, the prudence, the unexceptionable life and un- 
doubted piety of Dr. Bates, sustained him in the minis- 
try, and peace was maintained, not that peace which flows 
from harmony of sentiments and compatibility of religious 
sympathies, but that which arises from political expedi- 
ence. In addition to this cause of disunion was another 
still more powerful ; these times were pronounced the age 
of infidelity. Yet Dr. Bates did so explain and enforce 
some of the christian doctrines, that they always have ex- 
cited doubts and controversy, and probably always will. 
This produced unfriendly criticism, which in turn exposed 
those who doubted, to the renewed charge of heresy and 
irreligious propensities. 

Thus we can now perceive, in a calmer moment, that 
there was indeed in this period great danger of irreligion 
from great temptations, not from the solitary example of a 
single ruler being an infidel ; a case after all, that was 
never proved, but from other causes. The great danger 
arose not from the writings of infidels, for very rarely were 
any books of tiiat kind read in this town. But it arose 
from an injudicious attempt to stigmatize a popular and re- 
vered chief magistrate of the United States with the odi- 
ous name of unbeliever, without sufficient evidence for 
such a charge. Secondly, from the frequent asserting in 
an age of free inquiry, some of the most dilficult doctrines 
of the christian religion, without sufficient care ; doctrines 
which have ever excited controversy. Thirdly, from the 
dangerous experiment of endeavouring to inlist the sin- 
cere attachments of christians to their own opinions and 
customs, in the cause of contending political parties. It 
cannot be denied that these combined causes, produced 
their natural effects, and held out to tlie rising generation 
many strong temptations, to doubt, to dispute, and even to 
condemn what all should be invited l)y gentle means to 
respect. Dr. Bates, a gentleman every way worthy of 
confidence and respect by this operation of things, lost 



112 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, ix, 

much of his influence, and when he asked for a dismission, 
a majority heard of it with pleasure, and willingly voted 
for his dismission in the belief that a successor might be or- 
dained who would be more useful, because his opinions 
would be more compatible with their own. 

Under these circumstances, the Rev. Alvan Lamson be- 
came a candidate for the ministry. After the usual delay 
he was on the thirty-first day of August 1818, elected by 
the parish a successor to Dr. Bates, by a majority of eight- 
ty-one to forty-four. The church refused to concur in this 
election by a majority of seventeen to fifteen.* The par- 
ish having received Mr. Lamson's acceptance without the 
concurrence of the church, caused a council to be con- 
vened on the twenty-eighth day of October following, for 
the purpose of ordaining him. A council composed of 
the pastors and delegates of thirteen churches, met on 
that day at Dedham. At that time judge Haven appeared 
before the council and read a protest against any further 
proceeding. The protest was a lengthy document ex- 
plaining the usage of the churches, and showing wherein 
the proposed ordination would be a departure from it. The 
council on the first day examined evidences in relation to 
the charges in the protest. The second day it published 
its result, which was a determination to proceed in the or- 
dination. The result in explanation of the views of the 
council, asserts that it considered the ancient usage as 
wise and beneficial, but a different state of society, and 
diflferent laws may be a sufficient reason for departing 
from it in some cases, particularly when it is believed that 
a strict adherence to it will tend to create or increase di- 
vis^ions. The spirit and end of the usage, rather than the 
letter of it, is to be consulted. The constitution secures 
to every religious society, the right of choosing its own re- 
ligious teacher, and the laws enjoin the duty of doing so. 
The council believe that each body, the parish and the 

* Although the vote of the church on the question of choosing Mr. Lamson is cor- 
rectly staiecl above, yet it should be further stated that the church connected with 
the pariNh, have always maintained that they had a majority of all the church 
members including those who voted, and those who did not vote on account of their 
relation with other churches not having been regularly transferred; this fact was 
not and could not be a point in the lawsuit. It should be further stated that although 
the first parish church is in a legal sense the first church, and may be so called in 
this account, yet thai portion which constituted the majority on the thirty-first day 
of August 1818, and which afterwards left the first parish have ever claimed to be 
the first church in all ecclesiastical proceedings, and is so styled by its friends. 



cflAP. ix] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. HJ 

church have a right to choose a religious teacher. Tlli^^ 
right is secured to the parish by the principles of congre- 
gational polity, and the state constitution, and when it de- 
cides for itself that it is expedient to proceed, without the 
concurrence of the church, the council ought not to deny 
their request. On the twenty-ninth day of October, Mr. 
Lamson was ordained over the first parish. 

The majority of the church, including the two deacons, 
and a minority of the parish, who were dissatisfied with 
these proceedings, caused another council to be convened 
at Dedham on the 18th day of November succeeding, com- 
posed of the pastors and delegates of sixteen neighbouring 
churches, for the purpose of advising the persons who 
requested it. This council sat two days, reviewed all the 
proceedings in Mr. Lamson's ordination, and communica- 
ted the result of their deliberation, a part of which is in 
these words, " In the settlement of a minister in the first 
church and parish, the council discover in the measures 
pursued, the want of such a spirit of condescension, as 
seems best adapted to produce and preserve unity and 
peace. It appears that the parish in opposition to the 
wishes of the church, have proceeded to settle a public 
teacher of religion and morality, not in accordance with 
the accustomed and pacific proceedings of congregational 
churches in New-England, nor in the judgment of this 
council, was this one of those cases of necessity, which in 
the opinion of some would justify such a procedure." The 
council gave no definite advice to those who requested it. 
The church united to the parish on the 15th day of 
November ISIS, elected Mr. Lamson their pastor. Dea- 
con Fales did not attend Mr. Lamson's meeting after his or- 
dination. November \3, 181 S, deacon Swan died. March 
15, 1819, deacon Jonathan Richards resigned his oflice, 
and on the same day the vacant offices were filled by the 
election of deacon Eliphalet Baker and deacon Luther 
Richards. That portion of the church which seceded, 
claimed to be the first church, and in that capacity claim- 
ed the ample funds which had been long accumulating. 
In consequence of this claim a law suit of great interest ami 
importance arose, in which the first Parish, and the church 
connected with it, were one party, and the seceding mem- 
bers the other, although the nominal parties in court were 
the deacons of the two churches after their division. The 
1ft 



114 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, ix" 

principal questions involved in this suit were argued at 
Dedham, October, 1820, by eminent council, and the opin- 
ion of the court delivered in March following, at Boston, 
by the Chief Justice.* 

The opinion of the court is fortified by a long and full 
argument, and decides the principal question agitated in 
the case, that where the majority of a congregational 
church, separate from the majority of the parish, the mem- 
besr who remain, although a minority,constitute the church 
in such parish, and retain the rights and property belong- 
ing thereto. The court in one word supported the council 
which ordained Mr. Lamson, on the ground it assumed, 
and stated at much length the usage of congregational 
churches, its variations from time to time, by alterations of 
the laws, and finally by the constitution of the State, and 
the principles of religious liberty. The deacons of the 
first church (for that was the title which the Supreme 
Court gave to that portion which united with the parish,) 
assumed the same controul over the funds that was exercis- 
ed by former deacons. Both parties in the suit agreed that 
the funds belonged to the first church, and the principal 
question was, which party constituted the first church .'' 
Considerable asperity of feeling was excited by these pro- 
ceedings, but we live so near the time in which they 
happened, that it is improper to inquire who contributed 
most to such an effect, and it is not consistent with my design, 
which is to give a simple narration of facts, without any 
comment thereon. Justice, however, requires the statement 
of this fact, that before Mr. Lamson had been invited 
into the parish, it was really divided by religious opinion 
and strong aversions, arising from numerous other causes, 
and that after he became a candidate for the ministry, his 
opposers did not urge any objections against his moral or 
professional qualifications. The opposition to him there- 
fore arose from diversity of sentiments. 

I have collected this concise account from the pam- 
phlet containing a statement of the proceedings of the first 
council : judge Haven's pamphlet giving a minute detail 
of somq events, in connection with the ordination ; par- 
ticularly of the doings of the second council ; and from 
the report of the lawsuit to which the reader may be 

^ 16 3Iass. Reports, 488. 



CHAP. IX.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 115 

referred to, if he desires a more full statement. It has ge- 
nerally been supposed that the real and principal cause of 
this controversy, was a difterencc of opinion on some 
points of theology, much disputed at the present dav ; par- 
ticularly the doctrine of the trinity. In this view of it, the 
christian community at large has taken no ordinary inter- 
est in its origin and progress. The circumstance that 
each party here was supposed to be connected with a 
greater party, extending throughout the country, had a 
strong tendency to strengthen the spirit of religious 
faction. But it is my pleasing task to record a quite 
different result. They who a k\v years ago strenuously 
opposed each other, are now good and kind neighbours, 
and think not of any other triumph, excepting that which 
flows from proving the soundness of their faith by the 
innocence of their lives. By what cause it may be inquired, 
has an effect so unusual in religious controversy been 
produced ? It is the influence of American princij)les 
respecting the rights of conscience, which are embodied 
in the constitution and approved by society, which has 
prevented the evils, which otlierwise may have arisen. 
There are many powerful propensities in the human heart 
to intolerance, but the reasons, on which religious liberty 
is founded, are constantly supplying society with an anti- 
dote for that evil, still more powerful and steady in its 
operation. 

If in an evil hour, the two parties, whicli now contend with 
commendable moderation for their doctrines, should in 
their zeal forget the spirit they are of, let them hear a 
christian father and philosopher, who described the etfects 
of the Arian and Trinitarian controversy in the fourth cen- 
tury. It is a thing, says Hilary, equally deplorable and 
dangerous, that there are as many creeds as opinions 
among men, as many doctrines as inclinations, and as 
many sources of blasphemy, as there arc faults among us, 
because we make creeds arbitrarily, and explain them as 
arbitrarily. The Homoousion is rejected and received 
and explained away by successive synods. The partial or 
total resemblance of the Father and of the Son is a sub- 
ject of dispute for these unhappy times. Every year, Jiay 
every moon, we make new creeds to describe invisible 
mysteries. We repent of what we have done, we defend 
those who repent. We anathematize ihose whom we 



116 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [eHAP. «. 

defended. We condemn either the doctrine of others in 
ourselves, or our own in that of others, and reciprocally 
tearing one another to pieces. We have been the cause 
of each others ruin."* 

The second parish was incorporated in November, 1730, 
including at that time, the inhabitants in the west part of 
the town, who were in January, 1736, incorporated into 
another society, called the third parish. The land in these 
parishes is certainly as good as that in the first parish, and 
some of it much better. Why, it may be inquired, was a 
hundred years suffered to elapse, before this part of the 
town was fully settled .'' Why did those who removed from 
the village prefer to go to a greater distance, even to Deer- 
field, rather than settle on good land nearer home ? The 
cause of this is discovered in the policy of the inhabitants, 
which compelled them at that time, to live in a compact 
village, and in the spirit of the times, which led the most 
enterprising to seek large quantities of land in the wilder- 
ness, which trait of character, Roger Williams called a de- 
praved appetite, and the gud ofJVeiv England. The inhab- 
itants of these two parishes, intending to form one religious 
society, erected a house for public worship, in a place best 
calculated to accommodate them. But after meeting in 
it for sometime, it was abandoned, for the local situation 
of the two parishes did not conveniently admit of their 
union. In June, 1736, the reverend Thomas Balch was 
ordained in the second parish. He died in the thirty- 
eighth year of his ministry. His successor in office was 
the reverend Jabez Chickering, who was ordained July, 
1776, and continued therein until his death, in March, 
1812. The successful labours of these two ministers, in 
a period of seventy-five years, were productive of peace. 
No quarrel or discord is known to have existed, worthy of 
notice. A more unequivocal evidence of their merit, and 
of the religious and good moral habits of their people can- 
not be given. Both of these gentlemen were respected by 
their people and professional brethren. The present min- 
ister of that parish, the reverend William Cogswell, was 
ordained April 26, 1815. In June, 1816, he published a 
sermon in which he stated minutely the history of his 
church, which renders it superfluous and improper for me 

* Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 3 vol. 4. 



CHAP, ix.l HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 1 1 7 

to State more particularly than I have done, its past and 
present condition. The continued peace and prosperity of 
this society is a fact which will excite in the mind of every 
man in it, a desire to be still distinguished, as their fathers 
liave been, by their exemption from church quarrels. 

The third parish was not harmonious in its origin. 
Those who were discontented with Mr. Dexter, were set- 
tled in that part of the town. Some considerable difficul- 
ty existed in the separation. The reverend Josiah Dwight 
of Woodstock, a descendant of the family of that name in 
this town, was the first clergyman settled in that parish. 
He was ordained June, 1735, and was dismissed on ac- 
count of dissensions between him and the parish, in No- 
vember, 1742. In November, 1743, the reverend Andrew- 
Tyler was ordained as his successor. Mr. Thatcher said 
in a public discourse, that this gentleman was well spoken 
of by all parties, as one possessed of respectable profes- 
sional gifts, as very amiable and polite in his manners, and 
much respected by his people for the first twenty years of 
his ministry. From I7G4 to 1772, to the time of his dis- 
mission, great and severe disputes existed between him 
and the parish. Repeated but fruitless attempts were 
made during this time, by parish meetings, church meet- 
ings, and ecclesiastical councils, to restore peace. 

Finally, in 1772, the parish determined to withhold his 
salary, and inserted their reasons therefor in the parish re- 
cords. This record discloses pretty fully the temper of the 
parties, and is a good precedent to show what may be ex- 
pected from the attempt of a settled minister to remain in 
his parish after the majority desire his dismission. The re- 
cord proceeds thus : " The laws of the province require 
that a minister should be learned, orthodox, able, pious, 
and of good conversation, but your committee is humbly 
of the opinion that the minister of this parish is very defi- 
cient in some of these qualifications. As to his learning, 
the committee, not being judges in that matter, can only 
say that some men of learning have given intimations that 
he was reckoned at college a very indifllbrcnt scholar, and 
ministers in general are looked upon lo be much his supe- 
riors in that respect. As to his orthodoxy, the parish have 
never made any complaint, nor do the committee. As to 
his ability, which we take not to imply the same thing as 
learning, but is understood by us to mean the same thing 



118 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. is. 

as an able minister of the new testament, that is, one apt 
to teach, who always feeds iiis flock, one able to convince 
gain-sayers, who can comfort as well as reprove, one who 
can govern his own temper and bear with the infirmities 
of others. In all these particulars, we consider Mr. Tyler 
deficient. But what is most exceptionable, Mr. Tyler does 
not appear to be a man of piety and good conversation. 
He is frequently guilty of rash and unguarded expressions, 
of a disregard to truth. He has handled the word of God 
deceitfully, in order to level his artillery against those with 
whom he has been offended. He has been noisy, boiste- 
rous and turbulent. In administering the discipline of the 
church, he has been partial through prejudice." When 
the whole parish had thus indicted their minister, guilty or 
innocent, we must suppose he would gladly retire from it. 
But this charge seems to have much support, from the cir- 
cumstance that Mr. Tyler remained so long, until the pa- 
rish was wrought up into the state of feeling, indicated by 
the charges. Yet we must recollect that we hear not Mr. 
Tyler's defence, if he had any. 

In December, 1772, seven referees mutually chosen, 
determined on what condition Mr. Tyler should be dismis- 
sed. These conditions were complied with by both par- 
ties. Mr. Tyler after his dismission, retired to Boston 
with his family. 

June 7, 1780. The reverend Thomas Thatcher was or- 
dained over the parish. In the settlement and salary 
granted him, a provision was made for avoiding " the awful 
and deplorable consequences^^ of former disputes with their 
minister. Mr. Thatcher continued their minister until his 
death, in October, 1812. Mr. Thatcher maintained a high 
reputation for abilities. He was invited to preach many 
occasional sermons, twenty of which were published. He 
was a member of the American academy of arts and scien- 
ces. In 1788, he was chosen a delegate with the Hon. 
Fisher Ames for this town, to the convention for ratifying 
th.e federal constitution, and made a speech in favour of 
its ratification. His connexion with his church was upon 
the whole beneficial and happy, although he gently hinted 
at his afflictions, and the severe criticisms on his manners. 
If a minister is frugal, then says he, they tax him with ava- 
rice ; if he is public spirited, then they call him a prodigal. 
In these afflictions of the gospel, blessed be God, I can 



CHAP. IS.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 110 

boast no uncommon share ! He had strong feelings, and 
they would burst out on many occasions, without niucli con- 
troul. He had oddities and peculiarity of manners. He was 
never married ; the members of his society have said " what 
a pity it is our parson has no wife to check his excentric 
sallies, and soften his blunt manners." It is honorable to 
the parish, that they duly appreciated the solid worth of 
Mr. Thatcher, and overlooked his little foibles, and this 
further proves that the people there were not inclined to 
contention. Mr. Thatcher's ancestors, for four genera- 
tions before him, were respectable and useful men. His 
father was the late Oxenbridge Thatcher, Esq., of Boston, 
a respectable lawyer and political writer. Dr. Peter 
Thatcher, of Boston, was his brother. 

The reverend John White was ordained over this parish 
in April, 1814, and uninterrupted harmony has existed 
therein ever since. 

Some disputes arose in the third parish, in the year ISOS, 
respecting the location of a new meeting house, but dis- 
putes about the repairs and building of meeting houses, 
are almost a matter of course, every where. It would re- 
quire much time to describe the contentions on that sub- 
ject in this town, particularly in the first parish. I have 
noticed eight difterent votes passed in the course of fifteen 
years previous to 1808, in the records of the first parish, 
resolving to repair the first parish meeting house, and as 
many subsequent votes rescinding the former ones, at the 
same time when the meeting house had stood since the year 
1763, and was not large enough to accommodate one half of 
llie parish at that time, if any use is to be made of history 
on this subject, it is to inculcate this admonition, " Ciuard 
against disputes in building a new meeting house." 

17G0. The episcopal church in Dedham, commenced. In 
the'year 1768, it came under the direction of the Rev. Wm. 
Clark. A small church was then built by a few persons in 
Dedham and the neighbouring towns. It has already been 
stated what treatment this gentleman met with here, dur- 
ing the revolutionary war. After he had obtained a small 
pension from the British government, he resided sometime 
in New Brunswick, but he afterwards came to Quincy, 
where he spent the remainderof his days. From Mr. Clark's 
departure, to 1791, there was occasionally preaching in the 
society, through the exertion of bishop Parker. In 1701, 



120 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, is- 

the reverend William Montague came into this church 
and became its rector, and continued in that office until 
June, 1818, when he was dismissed by the bishop. In 
June, 1818, the episcopal church was regularly organised 
as a religious society, after much opposition. November, 
1821. The reverend Isaac Boyle, was at the unanimous 
request of the members, instituted rector over the church. 
For reasons which need not be mentioned, the former af- 
flictions of this society cannot be stated in this place. 
Those persons who left the first parish in 1818, built a 
new meeting house in the summer of 1819, and in Febru- 
ary, 1822, became incorporated under the name of the 
" proprietors of the new meeting house in Dedham." The 
reverend Ebenezer Burgess was ordained over that socie- 
ty March 14, 1821. [n the same month, his church adopt- 
ed a new creed and covenant, which is published under 
the title of" A brief summary of christian doctrines, and 
form of covenant." Four different forms of church cove- 
nant had previous to this, been adopted in the first church 
at different times. The members of the baptist society in 
this town, who seceded from the third parish in June, 1811, 
became incorporated with the first baptist society in Med- 
field, over which society, the reverend William Gamel was 
the ordained minister. 



CHAP, x] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 121 



CHAPTER X. 



Petition for grant of land for a township. List of freemen admitted townsmen 
previous to 1647. Succession in the ministry. School page. Parisli funds and 
benefactors. Town and parish expenses. Divisions of the land, and descrip- 
tions of properly. Notices of manufactories. Tables of mortality and compara- 
tive longevity. Memoranda for natural history. Local customs. Suggested 
improvements. Rural appearances. Conclusion. 



PeHhon for the grant ofDedham Township. — May it please 
the honoured Court, to ratify unto your humble petition- 
ers (your grant,) formerly made of a plantation above the 
Falls, that we may possess all that land, which is left out 
of former grants, upon that side of Charles river, and 
upon the other side five miles square. To have and enjoy 
all those lands, meadows, woods and other grounds, to- 
gether with all the waters and other benefits whatsoever, 
now being or that may be in the compass of the aforesaid 
limits, to us with our associates, heirs and assigns forever. 
First to be freed from all country charges for four years. 
Secondly to be free from military exercises in our said 
town for four years, except some extraordinary occasion 
require them. 

Thirdly, that such distribution or allotments of land as 
are due and performed, be confirmed by the grantors or 
their successors. 

Fourthly, that we may have countenance from this hon- 
oured court for the well ordering the non-age of our society, 
according to the best rule : and to that purpose to assign 
unto us a constable that may regard peace and truth. 

Fifthly, to distinguish our town by the name of Con- 
tentment, or otherwise as you shall please. 

Sixthly, we entreat such other helps, as your wisdom 
shall know best in favor to grant unto us, "for our well 
improving of what we are intrusted withal, unto us in 
particular, but especially to the general good of this 
weal public, in succeeding times, subscribed by all wiio 
are in covenant at present, 10 day 7 month, 16JG. Signed 
by nineteen persons. 
16 



122 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 



[chap. X. 



Ordered, That said plantation to be settled above Charles 
river, have three years immunity from public charges, as 
Concord had from the first day of May next. The name 
of the plantation to be Dedham. To enjoy all that land 
on the easterly and southerly side of Charles river, not 
formerly granted to any town and particular person, and 
have five miles square on the other side of the river. 



I.IST 

OF FREEMEN WHO HAD BEEN ADMITTFD INTO DEDHAM BEFORE 1647. 



Mr. John Allin, 


John Rogers, 


Peter Woodward, 


Mr. Timothy Dalton, 


Joseph Shawe, 


John Baker, 


Mr. Thomas Carter, 


Nathan Aldis, deacon. 


Nathaniel Whiting, . 


Mr. Ralph Wheelock, 


Daniel Fisher, 


Anthony Fisher, .._ 


Mr. John Hunting, 


Michael Metcalf, 


Andrew Dewing, 


Mr. Pruden, 


John Bullard, 


George Barber, 


Mr. Henry Phillips, 
Francis Chickering, deac. 


Joshua Fisher, 


Robert Onion, 


Ferdinando Adams. 


Robert Feashe, 


-Abraham Shaw, 


Thomas Wight, - 


John Gay, 


Edward Allyne, 


Samuel Morse, 


1 ambert Genery, 


John Frayre, 


Nicholas Phillips, 


Samuel Guile, 


Eleazer Lusher, 


John Morse, 


John Ellis, 


Robert Hinsdale, 


.John Page, 
Michael Powell, 


Daniel Morse, 


Edward Kempe, 


Thomas Alcoke, 


John Leuson, 


Joseph Kingsbury 


John Batchellor, 


John Dwig-ht, 


Nathaniel Colbonie, 


Joseph Morse, 


Henry Smith, 


Timothy D wight, 





X.] 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 



123 



SUCCESSION IN THE MINISTRY. 
FIRST PARISH, 

(Church gathered Novemher 8, 1638.) 



Name^ of ministers. 



John Allin, 
William Adams, 
Josepli Belcher, 
Samuel Dexter, 
Jason Havea, 
Joshua Bates, 
Alvan Lamson, 



Time of 
ordination. 



Time of 
decease. 



April 24, 1639.1 Aug. 26, 1671. 
Dec. 3, 1673. Aug. 17, 1685, 
Nov. 29, 1693. lApril 27, 1723. 
May 6, 1724. Jan. 29, 1755. 
Feb. 5, 1756. Mav 17,1803. 
March 6, 1805. Feb. 20, 1818. 
Oct 29, 1818. 



■ Is dismissed forihe purpose 
I of being president of Mid- 
.dlebury college, Vermont. 



SE0017D Fi&.RISII, 

(Incorporated Novemhev, ITLtO. Ohurch ;,'athered June 93, 17,36.) 



Thomas Balch, I June 30, 1736. 

Jabez Chickering, July 3, 1776. 
William Cogswell, 1 April 26, 1815. 



Jan. 8. 1774. 
Mar. 12, 1812 



THIRD PARISH, 

(Incorporated January, 173(5. Church gathered June 4, 1735.) 



Josiah Dvvight, 
Andrew Tyler, 
Thomas Thatcher, 
John White, 



June 4, 1735. I 

Nov. 30, 1743.1 

June 7, 1780. lOct. 19,1812. 

April 20, 1814.1 



Dismissed in 1742. 
Dismissed Dec. 17, 1772. 



EPISCOPAI. CHXTRCH IIT DEDHAXX. 



Is ordained hythe bishop of Lon- 
don, and appointed missionary 
here. May, 1777, is carried away 
by force to Boston, because he 
was opposed to the revolution. 
Comes to Dedham, and becomes 
rector of the church. July 1818, 
is dismissed from office by bish- 
op Griswohl. 

Is regularly instituted rector 
■cr the church by bishop Gris- 



William Clark, 

William Montague, 
Isaac Boyle, 



Dec. 1763. 




Ebcnc 



NUMir MBBTIIT G HOTTSE SOCIETY. 

recss, I 'Mar7l4, 1821.1 | 



BAPTIST SOCIETY IN DEDHAIff AXTD MEDFIEIiD, 

(Incorporated June 9, 1811.) 



William Gamel, 



Over the churches in Medfield and Dedhar 



124 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 



[chap. X. 



PROGRESS OF SCHOOLS. 



O o 



°t2 



How far adequate. 



Prevailing traits of character at several 
periods. 



IReligious, harmonious, 
Icessful in their enterpr 



Highest.] Fully adequate, [devoted lands sufficient to support one 
I [.school master all the year. 



I ICharactet of the people nea rlv the same, 

high. Adequate this year.l'!^L!KL!*'!:"}lSinj^Jo^ relax in support 



1C84 


no 


1 
118 


Lower 


Quite inadequate 


Vacancy in the ministry. Four candi- 
dates refuse the ministry here. Dr. Wil- 
liam Avery gave sixty pounds for a La- 
tin school, which was not appropiiated 
that purpose. 


1704 


Old 
tenor. 

m 


155 


Lower 
still. 


Not sufficient to 
support one school 
master six months. 


Disorderly elections, church quarrels, 
bad manners, bad records. Incompe- 
tent town officers. 1691, the town again 
indicted for neglect in supporting 
schools. The people are dispersed into 
parishes. 


1724 


Old 
tenor. 
/SO 


218 


Lowest. 


Few could have 
any school instruc- 
tion. 


The character of people nearly the 
same. The school farm was sold about 
this time, and the proceeds thereof mis- 
appropriated. 


1744 


Old 
tenor. 


334 


Low. 


Michael Metcalf, Nathaniel Kingsbury, 

Mr. Damon, and Mr. Dexter, seeing the 

nrentlv deficient Jfip'orable want of school education, 

Oreatly dehcient. ^^^^^^ donations to support schools, and 

to teach good manners. 


1764 


m 


1919 
Inhabi- 
tants. 


Low. 


Eight hundred and 
fifty-eight children 
under Hi years. 


VV e still hear ol quarrels m the first 
church. Ecclesiastical councils, and dis- 
mission of minister in the third parish. 


1 ^,000 
1784 aSO Inhabi- 


Rising. 


Greatly deficient. 




1804 


$1900 


•2,100 
Inhabi- 
tants. 


Rising. 


Many children 
have only a few 
week's schooling. 




1804 


$2000 


fi.50Inha 
bitants 
taxed. 


Rising. 


|Thereare eleven districts, some quite 
Ismail. The masters employed are many 
of them quite Incompetent, as the school 
{committee of 1826 found by examina- 
tion. 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 125 

OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC WORSHIP. DONORS. 

Eight shares out of the five hundred and twenty-two 
shares into which the Dedham common lands were divided 
in the year 1659, were given to the church to support a 
teaching churcli officer, in the town. From the sale of 
these lands a fund has accumulated which added to the 
rents of a few house lots, amounts to the annual income of 
seven hundred and si.xty dollars. Other donors to the 
first parish were doctor William Avery, honorable Samuel 
Dexter, honorable Edward Dowse, of the clock in the par- 
ish steeple, Mr. John Doggett, of interior clock. 

The second parish in June 1824, was organized with 
powers to hold property in trust, for various purposes It 
does now hold funds to support the communion table, 
public worship, poor widows, and the gospel ministry. 

The annual income of the third parish from lands and 
money given by many persons amounts to two hundred 
and eighty dollars. The reverend Thomas Thatcher gave 
this parish land and money. 

Samuel Colburn in the year 1756, by his last will gave 
one hundred and thirty-four acres of valuable land to the 
Episcopal church, in Dedham. In 1794 the legislature 
granted to the rector, wardens, and vestry of the church, 
a power to lease the land ; and before the year 1818, 
more than half of the land had been sold and the proceeds 
spent. Esther Sprague and Elizabeth Sumner were liberal 
donors of this church. 

Present net annual income from rents on long leases is 
seven hundred dollars. 

In the year 1826, the reverend Ebenezer Burgess built at 
his own expense a spacious vestry to the new meeting 
house. 

It thus appears that funds for pious uses, to a consider- 
able amount, and of ancient origin exist in this town. To 
a community which has not much recorded experience of 
the abuses to which funds of this kind are liable, the his- 
tory of those funds may be instructive. 

The funds of the first parish began in 1659, and in three 
important particulars have been managed or appropriated 
contrary to what must be the presumed will of the donors. 



12G HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. x. 

First, It cannot be believed that when all the inhabi- 
tants gave lands, that they intended the benefit of them, 
should be confined to the oldest and richest society in the 
town, to the exclusion of four or five other parishes 
having greater need of them. 

Secondly, It cannot be believed that the inhabitants of 
Dedham in 1659, who made such exertions to establish a 
pure church, who talked much of their power to open and 
shut the doors of the church, and who would not permit 
the town to have any participation in the choice of their 
two first pastors, could ever have consented to such a 
method of controuling their funds, as is now adopted, one 
which virtually gives the parish the power of controuling 
them in exclusion of the church. 

ThircUy, Of all heresies, they probably would have 
deemed that the greatest, which would place the funds by 
them given, under the controul of a Unitarian parish, to 
the exclusion of an Orthodox church as has been done by 
a change of opinion and laws. 

The constitution of the State adopted. in 1780, and ex- 
plained and applied in 1821, in a lawsuit respecting these 
very funds, has had the effect transfering from the church 
its property, and giving it to the parish. This must be 
justified on revolutionary, and not on legal principles 
But after all perhaps, a christian society will not have 
much cause to regret these variations from the presumed 
will of the donors. They have been affected, not suddenly 
and by a violent revolution in the State, but by a consti- 
tutional and general law, rendered necessary by a change 
in government and opinions. Had not this gradual revo- 
lution taken place, it is probable, that some other more 
violent change would be affected, such as happened 
when Henry VIII, and other protestant princes, on the con- 
version of their subjects from popery, permitted their rapa- 
cious courtiers to seize the inheritance of the proscribed 
church for their private uses. 

Experience teaches us, that it is not so much the wrong 
appropriation of church funds that should be feared and 
guarded against, as the spending of them. The majority 
in each of the five religious societies in this town have 
virtually the power to controul the use of their funds, the 
members of each society would no doubt repel the propo- 
sition, to spend the principal of their funds. They would 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 127 

probably understand such a proposition as it really is, an 
attempt to violate the trust in their hands, which, in its 
effects must defraud the next and succeeding generations. 
But some of these societies have done those things, and 
borrowed money which have ultimately diminished the 
funds. So imperfectly is the obligation understood, of duly 
appropriating parish funds, that many have not scrupled 
to borrow on their credit, and have thereby imposed on 
them a permanent incumbrance, which is the same thing 
as spending the principal, when the use only was given to 
them. It is in this indirect manner of spending the prin- 
cipal of their parish funds that danger is most to be appre- 
hended. 



TOWN 2SXPi:NSES 

AT DIFFERENT PERIODS, SHOWING THE RATIO OF INCREASE. 

Old tenor. 

1732. Deputy's pay, minister's salary, poor tax, incidental expenses, £207 : 1 : 4 

1733. " " " '>"'^u u' u ^u 178:11:10 
1734: " " " " " '•' " " 175 : 14 : 4 

Fedetal currency. 
1793. Taxes for highways, poor, schools, and all otlier town taxes, JIISOG : 00 

1796. " " " " " " " " " " 2<J40:00 

1800. " " " " " " " " " " 3400 : 00 

1805. " " " " " " " "■ " " 4600 : 00 

1808. " " " " " " " " " " 5100:00 

1815. " " " " '• " " " " " 6(W0 : OO 

1826. " " ■' '• " " " " " '•■ 6981 : 82 



ITXSXXS 

OF TOWN EXPENSES, FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL, 1826. 

Highway taxes, $9000 : 00 

For bridges, 428 : 58 

For support of schools, 2000:00 

Pay of town officer, stationary, and lawsuits, - - 5()1 : 70 

Support of poor, ------- 1991 : 54 

Total, - $(i981 : 82 

ANITUAZ. EXFEXrSZSS 

FOR .SUPPORTING PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

In the 1st parish, ordinary annual expense in late year.^, $!,'«)() 

In the 2nd " " " " " " (m 

In the .3d « " " " " " 040 

In the new meeting house society " " " " 8.^0 

In the e|)iscopal church, " " " " 900 

In the society of baptists, about " " " " 3(M) 



Total annual expense, not including cost of builditig 
and repairing houses of public worship, 



«45!»a 



J 28 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. x. 

DIVISIONS OF THE I.AITD. 

24.000 acres of land, by estimation, divided into 

220 tenements, each having a house, bani and 15 acres of land or 

more. 
397 dwelling houses. 
500 owners of real estate, not including those who own stock in 

factories. 
685 males taxed in the town, including 91 non-residents. 

PROGRESS 

OF POPULATION IS AS FOLLOWS : 

In 1765, in the three parishes, the number of inhabitants was, 1567 

In 1790, " " " " " " " « " 1659 

In 1800, " « " " « « « « " 197.3 

In 1810, " " " « « « " " « 2172 

In 1820, " « " " " " « " " 2485 

A much greater increase of inhabitants for some years 
to come, is anticipated, principally on account of manu- 
facturing establishments. The owners of land have gene- 
rally the fee simple, and their estates are not frequently 
encumbered with mortgages, annuities, rents, or life estates. 
Of the two hundred and twenty tenements above enumer- 
ated, it may be estimated that not more than twenty have 
estates mortgaged, who have not a good prospect of paying 
the mortgage within a few years. There arc forty tene- 
ments in the village, the owner's title to which is a lease 
for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, subject to an an- 
nual rent. 

Descriptions of property. — Stone court house and jail ; 
four congregational meeting houses ; an episcopal church; 
a baptist meeting house ; eleven small school houses ; the 
woollen factories; two cotton factories ; four saw mills; 
two paper mills ; two grist mills ; five manufactories for 
making chaises and carriages ; an establishment for mak- 
ing machinery for other factories ; Warren's establish- 
ment for making ploughs ; five taverns ; eleven retail 
stores ; two apothecaries ; one printing press ; one bank, 
capital one hundred thousand dollars ; one mutual fire in- 
surance company, having the two first years of its opera- 
tions, insured more than four hundred houses, and proper- 
ty to the amount of four hundred and seventy thousand 
dollars. 

JVotices of attempts to establish Mamfadories, and their 
present situation. — In the latter part of Mr. Jefterson's ad- 



♦ hap. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. r2'J 

ni'mistration, the interruptions of commerce created u 
strong desire to be no longer dependent on it, lor articles 
of the first necessity. On a question, wherein the honour 
and independence of the country was supposed to be 
much involved, there was much said and written. Some 
successful attempts at Pawtucket previous to the year 
1808, and the favouring gale of popular good will hurried 
many at that time, into hasty attempts, to establish man- 
ufactures on a large scale. I will describe the opera- 
tions of a single corporation, those of the Norfolk Cot- 
ton Factory ; the first in this town, which engaged in these 
attempts. As their methods of proceeding were similar 
to that of many hundred of other companies and corpora-' 
tions, at that time, 1 am justified in the minuteness of the 
detail. Here at Dedham the most enterprising men in the 
town looked around them ; they saw that there was here 
Vi^ater power, capital, and an ardent desire to be no longer 
dependent on foreign looms. Nothing was wanting but 
skill, in the operations to be undertaken ; and for that 
deficiency they had no doubt of soon finding a remedy in 
their own experience. As no one had a sufficient capital, 
for an entire establishment, the joint capital of many was 
used. In 1808 after a year's preparation, thirty individuals 
were united by an incorporating act. Among these were 
merchants, traders, farmers, blacksmiths, hatters, a lawyer, 
a physician, and an innkeeper, but not a single man, who 
had any skill in the art of manufactruing cotton goods. 
In organizing their corporation, the necessity of entrusting 
all their complicated operations, to the controul of one 
mind, was not perceived by the members, but they were 
guided it seems in this business by republican maxims and 
models. They entrusted the executive authority to a pre- 
sident, three directors, clerk and treasurer, whose distinct 
and appropriate duties were defined in a lengthy code of 
by-laws. The three directors were required to remain 
at the factory, one week each, and alternately : but no 
one was permitted to do any thing of importance without 
the concurrence of his colleagues. All the officers were 
chosen annually. During six or seven years the annual 
meetings were fully attended. After the business was 
done and the officers had made a flattering report of net 
gains, the members partook of a good dimier. Thus for- 
med, the corporation began business, built a large woudcn 
17 



130 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. X- 

factory on tlie upper dam, on Mother Brook : placed in it 
the tub wheel, and common water frames. When the 
cotton arrived at the factory, it was divided into small 
parcels and sent to the neighbouring houses to be picked 
by hand : over the picking department one and sometimes 
two agents presided. When the cotton was spun, then 
again it was sent abroad to be wove by hand. Over this 
department of weaving an agent presided. The spacious 
store-rooms adjoining tlie factory weres oon crowded with 
cotton yarn, and cotton cloths ; where all the goods were 
retailed excepting what were sent to numerous factors 
abroad. As their plan was to retail their own goods at their 
own counter, it became desirable to have a pretty good as- 
sortment, and then they began to make sattinets; and the 
legislature granted them leave so to do, by an additional 
section to their charter. The high price of cotton goods 
at that time permitted them to move on unconcerned 
about the wages of the w^orkmen and agents ; and money 
flowed pretty freely into the hands of persons, who never 
before or since that time have been so well off to live. 
The affairs of this company remained in nearly the same 
situation until the end of the war in 1814. 

The report of net gains at their annual meetings made 
them joyful and festive anniversaries. The stockholders 
had not, it is true, yet received any dividends, but the 
favorable estimate of all their joint property, led them to 
anticipate large future dividends. Nor was this all. The 
stock holders were regarded in the favourable light of do- 
ing something for their country, as well as a good deal for 
themselves. The inhabitants felt a degree of pride in hav- 
ing a cotton factory in town, and whenever their friends 
from the interior visited them, the first thing thought of, 
was to mention that there was a new cotton factory in the 
town, and they must go and see its curious and wonderful 
machinery. At the conclusion of the late war, the cor- 
poration was caught with twenty thousand dollars worth 
of goods on hand, and with forty thousand dollars in 
debts due to it, in eight or ten states. When cotton 
goods were so high, as they were during the war, an at- 
tempt to manufacture cheaply, was almost superfluous. 
The peace let in such a flood of cheap goods, that unless 
cotton cloths could be made cheaply, they could not be 
made at all. It was then that the genius of man began to 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 151 

interest itself in improving all the operations of spinninjjf, 
weaving, and bleaching. The changes in this particular, 
in the Norfolk cotton factory, were not important, because 
it did not survive for a sufficient length of time. It how- 
ever commenced the career of change and improvement. 
The tub wheel gave way for the common water wheel ; 
then came the cotton picker, not that silent and efficient 
machine now in use, but a buzzing and noisy thing ; when 
it was first put in operation, it sent forth such a scream that 
it alarmed some in the court house village. Before the 
power loom and the double speeder could come to the as- 
sistance of this company, it was deemed expedient to sell 
the whole establishment. 

Frederick A. Taft was the first regular manufacturer of 
cotton goods in the town, and he soon showed the difference 
there is between the produce of labour employed on good 
machinery, and directed by a single experienced agent, 
and that which is derived from labour on the imperfect 
machinery first used, and under the controul of the inex- 
perienced officers of an aggregate corporation. 
In 1S14, the price of picking cotton by hand, was 5 cts. 
The price of weaving by the yard, varied from 5 to 14 cts. 
The price of good cotton shirting 50 cts. 

The loss to this corporation and many others, was great. 
In 1826, the price of weaving common ) ^^^ ^j j^^jjj^. 

cotton cloth, per yard, ) 

The price of weaving fine cloths for calicoes, was 1 1-4 cts. 
The price of cotton shirting, was 10 cents. 

The price of common cloths from 10 to 11 cents. 

And there was sufficient profit to the manufacturer. 

The Dedham manufacturing company has machinery to 
produce six thousand yards per week, and seventy persons 
employed. 

Mr. Taft's company produces four thousand yards of fine 
cotton cloths per week. 

Benjamin Bussey, Esq. has recently erected woollen fac- 
tories on the two upper dams on Mother Brook. His two 
brick factories, his two wooden factories on the upper dam, 
with all their appendages of machine shops, stores, dye- 
houses, dwelling houses, and other buildings which will of 
course startup, will of themselves, constitute a little village. 
The plan of this entire establishment, gives it the capacity 
to manufacture two hundred and forty yards of fine broad- 



132 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap, i 

cloth every day. Thisestablishinent is the pride of Dedham, 
and its owner a great benefactor to those whom he employs, 
and of the town. It is not so much the extent of these 
works, as the skill displayed therein, that is to be admired, 
which in any event secures a good profit, and thereby 
places them on a permanent foundation. 

There are five establishments in this town for making 
chaises and carriages of all kinds. Some of these are ex- 
tensive. 

Jesse Warren, having succeeded in constructing ploughs 
in a form much approved, has for several years past made it 
his whole business to manufacture them on a pretty large 
scale. 

The names often persons, inhabitants of this town, are 
recollected who have been recorded in the patent office at 
Washington, as the inventors of new and useful machines ; 
among which may be enumerated, a new model for a loom,for 
a -lie machine, for a dough kneeder, a rock driller, a machine to 
weave a hat body, and one to make paper in an improved ivay. 
On the list of inventors, Mr. John Goulding merits particu- 
lar notice. On the subject of new improvements, the world 
has grown sceptical, and it is unwilling to allow that any 
suggested improvement really merits that character, until 
it be put in successful operation, for experience shows that 
the progress of real improvement is quite a different thing 
from the history of patents and inventions. With this test 
Mr. Goulding's inventions must be judged. He gave evi- 
dence of his practical skill in the first operations of Mr. 
Bussey's woollen factories, enabling those works to manu- 
facture much more cheaply than others. He has recently 
examined such machines and manufacturing establish- 
ments in England and France, as would most probably sug- 
gest to his mind useful knowledge in similar works in this 
country. Since his return from Europe, he has succeeded 
in two important inventions. By a new arrangement of the 
pipes in the boiler of the steam engine, he has made so great a 
saving in fuel, that steam power produced, by a peat fire is cheap- 
er, in thii town of rivers and streams, than water power. He 
has erected an extensive machine shop on the dry land, 
near a peat n)cadow, north west of this village, wherein 
machinery for other factories is made by steam power. 
This is the test of his invention. He has likewise invented 
ft loom to weave cai-pets by steam or water power, a thin^ here-^ 



CHAP. X-l 



HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 



!o3 



tofo7-e iinhiown, and deemed impossible. Practical skill, ac- 
quired by much experience of mechanical operations, uni- 
ted to an inventive genius alone, enable men to do such 
things. 



THE Z!FFi:CTS 

Of introducing manufactures and mechanical employments into the town, is ex- 
hibited in the proj^rcss of societ}-. 

In the year 1796, the population] In twenty-five years jjrevious to 
was nearly the same as it had been I the year 182(5, it had increased 
for fifty years previous. Uearly one quarter, and was rapid- 

|ly increasing. 



In 1793, the sources of income 
were the products of the land, 
wood, ship timber, vegetables, but- 
ter, labour on the land, small trad- 
ing, a few mechanical employ- 
ments. 



In 1826, the sources of income 
were interest of money, of stocks, 
labour in the woolen and cotton 
factories, carrying in stages and 
baggage waggons, many kinds of 
mechanical enipIoyn)ents, several 
additional articles in the produce 
of the land, labour on farms con- 
siderably increased, rents of hou- 



Amount of town and parish ex- 
penses one year, three thousand 
nine lumdred and forty dollars, 
and paid with difiiculty. 



In 1826, the amount of town and 
parish expenses was eleven thous- 
and five hundred and seventy-one 
dollars. The burthen less than in 
1796. 



Money so scarce that ten years 
before it had been the principal 
cause of a rebelhon. 



The most enterprising, at this 
and former periods, sought the 
western wilderness for a resi- 
dence. 



In 1826, it was so plenty that 
loans were made at five per cent, 
by inhabitants of this town. 

In late years, men of genius and 
capital, and the industrious poor, 
havesoughtthis place, where there 
is variety and abundance of em- 
ployment. 



T.A.BIiZ: 

OF MORTALITY AND COMrARATIVE LONGEVITY. 

In February, 179G, the reverend Jason Haven having 
completed the fortieth year of his ministry, preached a ser- 
mon on the occasion, and therein stated, that in the last 
forty years, five hundred and twenty-nine persons had died 
in his parish. 
400 of which were under the the age of 70 years. 

72 between the age of 70 and 80 years. 

94 between the age of 80 and 90 years, and 
9 over the age of 90 years. 
In the first 19 years of his ministry, 1 in 80 died annually. 
In the last 21 years of his ministry, 1 in 53 died annually. 



134 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. x. 

In this last period, the dissentary, the small pox, and 
other epidemics, had occasioned unusual mortality. 

February 20, 1818. Dr. Bates, on leaving his parish, 

preached a sermon on the occasion, and stated therein, 

that in the fifteen years of his ministry, there had been two 

hundred and seventy-three deaths in the parish, of which 

30 were under the age of 1 year. 

23 " between " " " 1 and 7 years. 

6 " " « " " 7 " 15 " 

35 " " " i' " 15 " 25 " 

55 " " " " " 25 " 50 " 

42 " " " " " 50 " 70 " 

82 " above " " " 70 years, 
[ncluded in the last class, were five over ninety years, 
and one ninety-eight years. This statement is remarkable 
for the small number of deaths among children, and the 
great proportion of those whose ages exceeded seventy 
years, it appearing that one in every three and a half arriv- 
ed at the age of seventy. No table which I have seen 
gives a result so favourable to the chance of long life. 

June, 1816. The reverend William Cogswell, of the 
second parish, stated in a sermon, afterwards published, 
that in the last eighty years, the number of deaths in his 
parish had been five hundred and eighty-eight. 
Of that number, 481 died under the age of 70 years. 

56 " between " " " 70 and 80 yrs. 
38 " " " " " 80 and 90 yrs. 

13 whose ages exceeded 90 yrs. 

1 in every 5 1-2 arrived at the age of 70 years. 
1 in 80 died annually. 

Reverend Thomas Thatcher, of the third parish, in 1800, 
made the following statement in a published sermon. 

In the twenty years of his ministry in his parish, there 
had been one hundred and twenty-eight deaths. 
102 under the age of 70 years. 
9 between the ages of 70 and SO )^ears. 
15 " " " " 80 and 90 years. 

1 " " " " 90 " 100 years. 
1 supposed to exceed 100 years. 
1 in 6 and a fraction, arrived at the age of 70 years. 

RECAPITULATION. 
In the 1st parish, from 1756 to 1796, 1 in 5 arrived at the age of 70. 
In the 1st parish, from 1803 to 1818,1 in 3 1-2" " « " "70. 
In the 2nd parish, from 1736 to 1816, 1 in 5 1-2 " " " " » 70. 
Jn the 3rd parish, from 1780 to 1800, 1 in 6 " " " « " 70. 



CHAP, s.] HISTORY OF DEDIIAM. 135 

Compare this with the most approved tables of longevity. 
In France, 1 in 31 arrive at the age of 70. 

In London, 1 in 10 " '' " " " 70. 

In Philadelphia, 1 in 15 " " " " " 70. 
In Connecticut, 1 in 8 " " " " " 70. 

This is considered the ratio for the healthy parts of New 
England. 

From the data afforded by these ministers, and other 
evidence of the population in each parish at the times when 
these records were kept, it may be stated that including all 
the parisiies, and all the times above enumerated, one in 
seventy died annually. Compare this result with other ta- 
bles. 

In Portsmouth it is computed that 1 in 48 to 49 die annually. 

In Salem, 1 in 48 to 49 die annually. 

In Boston, 1 in 47 to 49 die ainiually. 

In Philadelphia, 1 in 44 to 50 die aiiiuially. 

In the United State.* generally, 1 in 39 to 40 die annual!}'. 

In the great cities in Europe, 1 in 22 die annually. 

In England, 1 in 49 die annually. 

The soil in the first parish denoted to be the most heal- 
thy by the tables, is dry. The water is pure and drawn 
from wells from twenty to thirty feet deep, and comes up 
through sand or gravel. The harsh north east wind in 
passing over Muddy Pond woods is somewhat broken and 
softened, after it passes out of Boston harbour. There are 
many little streams besides Charles river and Neponset. 
There are a great abundance of trees and evergreens. 
The time may come when the physicians in Boston will 
regard it as a maxim, that they ought to direct a cer- 
tain class of patients to go out of the grosser atmosphere 
of Boston, and retire to Dedham village, where they will 
be defended by the Blue Hills and Muddy Pond woods. 

Memoranda fornatural history. — On both sides of Charles 
river, in that section of it which flows near and north of 
Dedham village, is a peat meadow, containing several 
hundred acres. The river at this place, on its surface de- 
scends si.\ or seven inches in a mile, has perpendicular 
sides, and a bottom of loose light mud, into which the set- 
ting pole penetrates several feet without much resistance. 
The surface of this meadow in all places, is even with the 
water in the river, when it begins to overflow its banks. 
The meadow is ofdiflerent degrees of hardness in ditrcrent 



136 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. H 

places, but may be pierced with an iron rod every where, by 
the strength of one man's hand, excepting when it strikes 
imbeded roots and trees. The meadow mud has various 
depths, varying from one to twenty feet, and rests on a gra- 
vel bottom. In some places the meadows are sufficiently 
hard to support a road, provided care be taken to spread 
brush on the surface before the gravel is carted on to it. 
In some places the gravel will sink, as it did under the 
turnpike near the village. A mile and a half north of the 
village, the river runs over a hard bottom, which at some 
former period, may have been a natural dam, causing a 
pond of water to exist in that precise place, now occupied 
by the meadow mud. That such has actually been the 
fact, is probable. The whole mass of the loose mud com- 
posing the meadows, is certainly a formation of roots, 
leaves and trees, with greater or less quantities of earth 
deposited there by the stream and floods. The surface of 
the meadow exactly corresponds with the surface of the 
water at a former time, and has evidently been modified 
by it. Two or three inches from the surface of this mea- 
dow, commences a stratum of peat, from three to four feet 
in depth. Before peat is taken from its bed, it is black 
heavy mud, and its whole mass is homogeneous. When it 
is prepared for fuel, it exhibits numerous fibres, resem- 
bling a flax thread, which hold the parts together after the 
peat is dried. In much the greatest part of this meadow, 
there is good peat of the above description, but in many 
places over several square rods contiguous, peat seems not 
yet to have been formed, or to have been only partially or 
imperfectly formed. Nothing on the surface of the mea- 
dow, or in its interior formation denotes the cause of this, 
and we are left to conjecture the cause ; which may be the 
existence there of too great a quantity of ligneous sub- 
stances, which have not yet had time to be decomposed 
since the water has been removed from the meadows. Or 
it may be that too great a quantity of water may have ex- 
isted there, which would have prevented the decomposi- 
tion of vegetable matter, by excluding the air therefrom. 
Near the upland, there is imperfect peat, the cause of 
which is easily discovered, in there not being a due 
proportion of earth, wood and water. That portion of the 
meadow which lies between the peat stratum and gravel 
bottom, is similar in its appearance and properties to im.- 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 137 

perfect peat ; it is of a reddish colour when dried, is light 
and affords very little heat. It is the material for making 
peat, and whenever the air shall have penetrated it for a 
sufficient length of time, as it may possibly do by means 
of the fibres, it will become good peat. An inquiry may 
here arise, whether the whole of this meadow is not now 
in a progress to the more perfect formation of peat, both 
in quantity and quality? The meadows of Charles river, 
we have seen, were covered much of the time with water, 
before the settlement of the town. This must have pre- 
vented the formation of peat. The peat in England and 
Ireland is much deeper, than that on Charles river mea- 
dows. The peat in some places on Neponset meadows 
is eight or ten feet deep. Those meadows are likewise 
much drier than those of Charles river. The fowl mea- 
dow grass began to grow in that meadow about the year 
1700. There are only a few places dry enough on the 
meadows of Charles river to produce that crop, although 
during several of the last dry summers, it has sprung up in 
several places where it never was before observed. 

Such is the situation of the peat meadows at present. I 
have noi observed any fact which seems to support the 
hypothesis of Dr. Cutler, who has inquired whether the 
fibres observed in peat, are not evidence of a vegetable 
organization o/" a mo6'.9 sui generis "7 The new properties 
which meadow mud acquires, namely, that of being inflam- 
mable and fibrous in the process of decomposition, and 
new combination diifers not materially from the changes 
under the controul of a chemist, excepting in the length 
of time recjuired to produce them. A'oout ten years ago it 
was first mentioned as a discovery, that near this village 
there was abundance of peat. Hince that time a small 
quantity has been dug every season. 

It may be worthy of notice, that such a variety of native 
forest trees should grow on a tract of land so limited as 
that of Dedham. Of the oak, are found seven varieties, 
from the shrub t»ak to the stately white o;ik, of the wal- 
nut, three varieties, white and yellow pin(^, hcndock, red 
cedar, and white cedar, white beech, white maple, white 
and yellow birch, butternut, wild cherry, button wood, 
hornbeam, poplar, ash, elm, two varieties. The locust, the 
lime tree, the balsam and the fir balsam, the mountain ash, 
18 



loS HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chap. t. 

flourish in our soil. The white oak is the favourite of the 
soil, that white oak which yields such a strong heavy and 
durable material for the works of the wheelwright and ship- 
builder, and which furnishes such excellent fuel. There 
are only a few solitary oaks which may now claim to be 
cotemporaries with the pilgrims, but all our forest are of 
modern growth. The white oaks, on particular pieces of 
land, have been aFi cut off in several successive generations. 
When one crop is cut off, another immediately succeeds. 
The young trees start up with a rapid growth, come to ma- 
turity in twenty-five or thirty years, when it is good policy 
to cut them all off again. How many times, in any given 
spot, the trees may have been thus cut in successive pe- 
riods, is not certainly known, probably five or six times. 
Now these last generation of trees are inferior to the prim- 
itive stocks, both in size and in usefulness, although equally 
good for fuel. The tree which originates from a stump, 
has necessarily imperfect roots. It may have a few young 
and healthy roots, but these are few in proportion to the 
rapidly growing stocks above ground, which receive the 
greatest part of their nourishment from the old roots. The 
old roots will decay from age, or from the want of a pro- 
per circulation of sap, caused by the cutting off the trunk. 
We need not assign a cause, since the effect is well 
known. The experience of every farmer teaches him that 
the forest trees which spring from stumps come to a pre- 
mature old age. Not so with trees which spring from 
acorns or from a spontaneous origin. Their roots are 
young and healthy and extend in every direction, when 
the tree is large its roots are proportionably so. Does not 
this short history of the oak, show that an important era 
has arrived in regard to their use and cultivation ? We 
have no forest laws nor hereditary lords to protect our 
most valuable oak forests. I see nothing but enlightened 
self interest, which will protect them from an indiscrimi- 
nate destruction. If this does not influence the intelligent 
owner of the soil, the voice of patriotism, the spirit of 
poetry will in vain invoke him ; they will in vain inform 
him that he who plants or nourishes an oak forest for the 
future navy, rears a better monument of his usefulness 
than most of those who write books, or flourish with a lit- 
tle brief authority in public employments. 

There are some places where there has been a succes- 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 139 

sion of different kind of trees, yellow and white pines have 
succeeded a forest of oak, and oaks again have succeeded 
pine trees. 

The soil of Dedham, particularly that of the village plain, 
nourishes almost every kind of fruit trees and shrubs, 
which will grow in New England. The pear trees of an hun- 
dred varieties transplanted into the gardens from the north 
of France and the nurseries of Long Island, thrive well. 
In the garden of Mr. Samuel Richards, where is the great- 
est variety of fruit trees, and where too may be learned the 
greatest variety of experiments on transplanting, no deci- 
sive evidence is yet afforded of the utility of trees of foreign 
nurseries, over those in our own immediate neighbourhood, 
excepting that of their cost. 

Experiments in agriculture worthy of notice are few. 
During the late war attempts were made in Massachusetts 
to cultivate wheat. It was suggested that a new species 
of spring wheat brought from Londonderry, N. H., would 
succeed on the lands near the sea board. It appears that 
many successful experiments were made, and were fully 
reported and recorded in the journals of the day. If 
these reports alone are consulted, they will lead to the 
conclusion, that blast on wheat is to be attributed to the 
seed, rather than to the climate. But one thing is certain, 
wheat crops are now no where heard of on the sea coast. 
The unsuccessful experiments I believe were not reported. 
In 1813 and 1814, experiments were made in tiiis town, 
and both were most decisive. The straw was sufficiently 
large to have yielded thirty bushels by the acre, yet it was 
so much blasted that it was scarcely worth reaping. 

In Dedham are some swamps and low lands, which 
were formerly esteemed of little value, the water being so 
frequently on them, permitted nothing but a coarse mea- 
dow grass almost worthless grow thereon. When several 
patches of these lands were broken up about ten years ago 
and planted with potatoes, and afterwards laid down and 
sowed with herds grass, I well recollect the frequent 
remark I heard made of them, that these spots of land 
would soon go back again, and produce nothing but their 
former crop of coarse grass. Ten years of experience have 
now shown that lands of this kind, when properly cultiva- 
ted, are the most valuable mowing lands in town. 

Gypsum has been used in various ways, but I have never 
heard of a single case where it was done with success. 



140 HISTORY OF DED.HAM. [miai-. s, 

Snggcsiedimjrrovements. — The following subjects are sug- 
gested, not with the intention of asserting, that all or any 
of them should draw forth immediate exertions, or that it is 
determined upon due deliberation, that real improvements 
can be effected in the way proposed. They are intended on- 
ly as proper subjects of inquiry. The success of those 
splendid works in other states, which facilitate intercourse, 
has excited a strong desire, that the people of this com- 
monwealth should engage in similar and great plans. If 
providence has afforded this people any great occasion, or 
opportunity for such great entcrprizes, as that of making 
rail-ways or canals over the western mountains, they will 
be undertaken ; but in the mean time the people of this 
town, and in this part of the State, should not forget, that 
very near to them, they have a canal somewhat broader 
and longer than that of New-York, to wit, the Atlantic 
ocean ; and that therefore the public spirit and energies 
of the community can only be directed to the more hum- 
ble, yet laudable exertions, of rendering more perfect our 
civil and literary institutions ; and particularly the roads, 
the villages and the manufactories. With intentions thus 
explained, it may not be im[)roper to inquire, whether the 
following objects should not in due time engage attention. 

A house of correction for the county of Norfolk, com- 
bining all the advantages of an institution of this kind. 
The county buildings of this kind at present, are deficient, 
on which account convicts have been sent to the house of 
correction in Worcester. 

A poor house, and farm of suitable extent for the town 
of Dedham, affording sufficient room to employ, as well as 
support the poor. The tovvn have now only a small poor 
house, but no land on which the idle, the improvident and 
vicious can be coerced to labour. 

A tovvn house built with stones of a different order of 
architecture from the Court House, to form a contrast 
with it, the lower story to have fire proof offices for a bank, 
for the insurance office, and the town offices. 

A new Episcopal church. 

A good social library. 

The introduction of some new business suitable for fe- 
males whose health and habits will not permit them to 
labour in the great factories, and which may serve as a 
substitute of the now abandoned artof brading straw hats. 



c„^p. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. HI 

In husbandry, the following subjects, not within the 
jurisdiction of the agricultural society, may be proposed. 

Brin^ino- to a more perfect cultivation that portion ot 
meadov^ land near Upland and swamps, which by bemg 
mived with gravel and loam will produce great crops ot 
fowl meadow or herds grass, and bear drought better than 
upland or peat meadow. . 

An experiment to be made in burning, or torrytying a 
portion of that clay bed between east street and the vil- 
lage, for the purpose of manure. W h.ch is a mode o 
enriching land in some parts of England and Ireland 
highly beneficial. . , , .1 • 

An attempt to ascertain with certainty, whether there is 
not a bed of iMarle a little north of Wigwam 1 ond, ol 
which there are strong indications. r 1 1 

Lining the roads more frequently with trees o oak, elm, 
or of anv other kind of tree, excepting that ill looking, 
short lived sappy exotic, the Lombardy poplar. 

Holdincr in great esteem every thrifty young oak tree 
which spnngs up under such circumstances, as shows it 
may be used in building the future navy. 

Planting a suitable number of trees around the meeting 
house in the third parish. That spot is on the top of a 
hill, and the house of public worship there, looks too naked, 
especially as it is high in proportion to its dimensions m 

other respects. . , -n . r *i 

A handsome open common in the village east ot the 
new court house, ornamented with trees, and protected 
from all nuisances. This will conduce to health and to 
ornament, and will afford the passing stranger a view ot 
an elegant court house, the new meeting house, and the 
dwelling house of judge Haven and Mrs. Ames I3u 
above all, it will prevent the reproach which a difiereiU 
use of that land now unoccupied would occasion. May 
no buildings or shops be erected on that ground which 
«hall <-ive Tust occasion to the classic and travelled stran- 
ger to say ; behold here the same profiinatioii as at Rome ; 
Tvhen the tents of pedlars and the stalls of Bufialoes stood 
within the Colliseum. 

Local Cnsioms.— Among the sports of Dedham is the com- 
mon one of shooting at a dead turkey, or a dead goose. 
This sport is not inhuman, and yet it answers the object in- 



142 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. ^chap. x. 

tended, amusement and skill in sharp shooting. As our 
legislature made an unavailing effort last winter to pre- 
vent cruelty in shooting at living marks, turkies, and 
other fowls, let the Dedham sportsmen propose their own 
custom as the appropriate remedy. This opportunity lor 
shooting satisfies nearly every one, and we therefore sel- 
dom see a cruel boy creeping and crouching in our fields. 
with his murderous gun, making war on the birds which 
cheer our fields with their presence and music. 

In the statute book is found a law creating the office 
of hogreave, now unnecessary, but formerly an important 
and responsible office, imposing on the incumbent the ar- 
duous duty of causing all the swine to wear great yokes on 
their necks, and rings in their snouts. When this office is 
to be filled at the annual meetings in March, every year, 
every person in the town, who has been married the year 
past, IS sure to be promoted to that office, whether he be 
farmer, doctor, lawyer, or minister. In some other towns 
the custom prevails. After inquiry, I have failed to find 
any antiquary who can state the origin of the custom. 

Of all the popular assemblies of the people, none can be 
more important in a free country, than town meetings. 
When they are tumultuous and disorderly, the government 
is in its most important branch, corrupted. Of this truth, 
the citizens of this town seem to be fully impressed, and 
their meetings are usually conducted with good order and 
decorum. When it is otherwise, it is owing to some tem- 
porary faction, who will start in doing mischief and com- 
mitting disorder, before the sober men have time to correct 
the evil. There is one practice which has been so fre- 
quently resorted to in town meetings, that it may be de- 
nominated an established custom. When a measure has 
been proposed in town meeting, not agreeable to the wishes 
of a part of the inhabitants, and it is necessary that a com- 
mittee should be appointed to prepare it for the decision 
of the whole town, the opposing party have not unfrequent- 
ly attempted to defeat it, after the town has decided in 
favour of a committee, by nominating either incompetent 
men, or those who will entirely disregard the duty. As the 
moderator calls for a nomination, the opposers immediate- 
ly shout the names of their candidates. The supporters 
of the measure likewise, knowing that they must be equal- 
ly quick, make numerous nominations. In this confusion 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDHAM. 143 

of voices, and of the multitude of nominations, the moder- 
ator is usually under the necessity of calling for a new 
nomination, and then again with increased zeal do many 
persons instantly shout the names of their respective can- 
didates. 

At once a universal iiubbub wild, 

Of sluning sounds, and voices all confused 

Witli loudest vehemence assault the ear. 

If in this dilemma, the majority can succeed in voting 
the right of nomination to the moderator, and he have suf- 
ficient independence to do his duty, the committee of suit- 
able men maybe elected, otherwise the will of the town is 
defeated by the artifice. Did it ever occur to those per- 
sons who believe that such a practice is justifiable, that an 
artifice of this kind is in effect, as bad as not or open force, 
since the tendency of both is to defeat the will of the town, 
a thing that should not be attempted, except by free de- 
bate and peaceable voting. 

Rural scenes.— hi the year 1826, this village was in a small 
compass ; the inhabitants have had so strong an inclination 
to be near certain points, that the price of land was a thous- 
and dollars per acre, at one place, and when other lands, 
equally eligible for building lots, not forty rods distant, 
might be purchased for half that sum. This whole plain, ex- 
ceptincr about one hundred acres occupied by buildings, was 
well cultivated, having fruit trees and shades growing there- 
on. The old streets ornamented with elms, button-woods, 
and shrubbery. On High street stood the two congrega- 
tional meeting houses, and the new court house. The new 
court house at present stands in an open field, containing 
more than two acres, and is equally well seen by the passen- 
ger on the road to Providence and Hartford. This edifice 
covers an area of ninety-eight feet by forty-eight, and has 
at each end a projection of ten feet from the mam body oi 
the building, with a pediment resting on four done pillars 
which are nearly twenty-one feet high, and throe tcet ton 
inches in diameter at their base. The principal material 
of this building is a hewn white granite fioni a quarry 
ei<Tht miles west of it. Mr. Solomon Willard, ot Boston, 
the architect, by conforming his plan of it so far as the use 
of the building and his means would permit, to the best 
models of antiquitv, has perpetuated the evidence ot lus 



] 44 HISTORY OF DEDHAM. [chaf. x. 

skill and good taste,* and con/erred a lasting ohligaiion on 
the county. 

The Norfolk and Bristol turnpike goes through the vil- 
lage, and is a great thoroughfare between the north and 
the south. The steam boats from New York land their pas- 
sengers at Providence, and in a i'ew hours afterwards, six or 
seven stages full may be frequently seen a mile south of 
the village descending into it, bringing sometimes the dust 
with them which they raise. Every other day the mail 
arrives on its way to Washington city. The number of 
those who assemble at the post office at the hour of ar- 
rival is not so great that each one must ask a question and 
be off, but custom allows the talkers and the quid nuncs 
to remain and amuse or oppress their temporary audience 
with their remarks on all subjects. 

Four or five concerts of music in a year, the performers 
at which come from Boston, and the neighbouring towns, 
attest an increasing attention to that art. Every Sunday 
morning, when the hour of worship has come, people in 
chaises and on feet are seen coming into the village, but 
none in waggons. Some go to the first parish meeting 
house. On the spot where that house now stands, one hun- 
dred and eighty years ago there stood a low building with a 
thatched roof, having no accommodation for a worshipping 
assembly, not even a plastered wall. Now you may see 
in the newly repaired meeting house, the stucco over the 
head, the inside clock, the outside clock, the handsomely 
decorated organ, the cushioned and carpeted pews. 
Across the road you will likewise see another new meet- 
ing house, in its exterior appearance, its size and beautiful 
proportions, greatly excelling most other country meeting 
houses. Its steeple is not so ambitious as the common 
New England steeple, to reach up high with a slim trunk, 
but is flatted down so that its base bears a more agreeable 



* February term of the supreme court, 1827. The first session was held in this 
edifice. On that occasion, the governor, the judges, and all the members of the 
bar, and many spectators attended. Chief justice Parker delivered a dedicatory 
address. In this address, after attributing just praise to the architect, Mr. Willard, 
and to the master builders, Messrs. Bates and Damon, he made a comparison of 
this building with others most distinguished in the state. To this he gave the 
preference over the state house and the Worcester court house, because the mate- 
rials are brick. In one respect, this excelled Sutlblk court house, because in this 
last building, architectural beauty was not regarded. It excelled St. Paul's church 
and the new branch bank of the Ihiited States, in Boston, because they have other 
buildings so near them that exterior beauty is taken from them. 



CHAP. X.] HISTORY OF DEDtlAM. 145 

proportion to its height. It is inclosed with a i^iiitable 
fence. It has a spacious cellar underneath its wiiolc area, 
which serves as a substitute for the horse sheds, and last of 
all, it has a spacious vestry built at the c.x|icnse oflhe min- 
ister. Tiiis meeting house was built chiefly at tlie expense 
of a few farmers, and attests how much may be etlected by 
the voluntary efforts of religious men. A few years ago, the 
first parish voted in the great bnss viol, to help the singing. 
That innovation grieved several old men who opposed it, 
one of whom determined once more in liis life time to hear 
his INIaker praised without such a profane accomi-animent, 
and to accomplish that purpose he secretly rubbed tallow 
on the strings of the instrument. This was the first and pro- 
bably the last effort that will be made to resist innovation, 
for very soon was added the flute and the fiddle, and then 
came a fine toned organ. Since it has ceased to be a 
custom to pray against the pope as anti-christ, what as- 
surance have we that a love of change, or a desire of im- 
provement in ornamenting houses of pul)lic worship, will 
stop at any given point ? Will not superfluous wealth em- 
ploy our native artists in ornamenting our churches .'' 
The christian community seems quite unconscious of the 
career that is commenced in the new taste and style of 
architectural ornament. Some imagine that the stubborn 
New England character will resist the influence of wealth, 
of the arts, of accidents, and of time. Let them reflect 
that the first christians, like the first settlers of New En<;- 
land, were obliged to retire from the presence of kings, of 
courts, and cultivated society. But when wealth and power 
came into their hands, the taste of the christian world was 
soon changed, and gorgeous palaces were deemed suitable 
places for the devotion of the people. Since the puritan- 
ical aversion to organs has so far given way, as even to 
admit flutes and fiddles into church music, we may well 
anticipate that before the expiration of two hundred 
years more, the finest portraits of the apostles and saints 
will appear on tlie walls r»f some congregational meeting 
houses. 

19 



146 HISTORY OF DEPHAM. [chap. x. 



CONCLUSION. 

The comparative merit of every place, as one which 
should be sought or abandoned, depends on the views and 
taste of him who makes the inquiry. On this point it is 
not worth while for an inhabitant to say any thing, least 
his advertisement be imputed to vanity or ill will, but may 
he not suggest, after a pretty full history and description 
of the town has been given, that if any man be influenced 
by the suggestions of philosophy, or religion, or love of 
literary leisure, to retire to a healthy residence near the 
city, combining some of the principal advantages, both of 
a large town and the country, where he may be a calm 
spectator of the little strifes and follies and revolutions in 
the world, he may possibly find that Dedham has some 
positive recommendations to him. 

That employment and situation in life, which the poets 
and philosophers of every age have represented as the most 
agreeable to the nature of man, is that of a husbandman, 
the cultivator of his own land, free from ambition, free 
from the dangers and temptations of more lucrative em- 
ployments, and free from debt. The epithet, /rcew?a«, may 
with propriety be applied to him, since he is not a slave 
to ambition or to great men. This sentiment seems to 
have been a leading motive of tlie first settlers in this town, 
and every successive generation must have had increasing 
evidence, that the way and the taste of their fathers was 
good. And we too, having reviewed their doings and their 
characters, in a period of one hundred and ninety years, 
must yield our entire assent to the same opinion. This 
sentiment is asserted in the title page, in the language of 
a poet in the Roman court, and it may in conclusion, be 
reiterated in the words of his translator. 

Like the first i-ace of mortals blest is he, 
From debts and usury and business free ; 
With his own team, who ploughs the soil, 
Which grateful once, confessed his fathers' toil. 



THE END. 



